The FA this week launches a new nationwide initiative that will give children a chance to make their FA Cup dreams a reality throughout this season’s competition.
In addition to giving children the chance to get a taste of the magic of the Cup, one lucky fan winning the ultimate sleepover with The FA Cup trophy at Wembley Stadium the night before the 2014 Final.
The scheme will give boys and girls around the country the chance to live out the dreams of countless football fans from the Third Round through to the Final, with some fans even winning the chance to walk onto the Wembley pitch with the players at the 2014 FA Cup Final.
The initiative is backed by FA Cup winner and former Liverpool, Manchester United and England legend Michael Owen in an aim to introduce a new generation to the magic of the world’s oldest domestic football competition, famed for its unpredictable moments and legendary giant killings.
The scorer of Liverpool's two late goals in the 2001 Final as they came from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 in Cardiff, Michael Owen knows just how special the competition is.
Making FA Cup dreams a reality
Commenting on the launch, he said: “Winning The FA Cup is something you dream about when you’re playing in the local parks as a boy and I was fortunate enough to not only win it but also score two goals in an extraordinary Final.
“People always talk about the magic of the competition and I think we saw it at its best last season when Wigan defied the odds against Manchester City in the Final – and the Third Round this season has again thrown up a load of David vs Goliath ties in a way no other competition in the world can.
“The FA Cup is one of the most recognisable pieces of silverware in the world and I hope to see the next generation of aspiring footballers fall in love with it the way I did.”
Children and families who enter the competition on The FA Cup Facebook page will be chosen at random to win once-in-a-lifetime FA Cup experience including the chance to win round-by-round sleepovers with the official trophy in their homes overnight and drift off to sleep dreaming of their heroes who have lifted The FA Cup before them.
Under 12s will be given the chance to enter the unique FA Cup Dreams initiative from today, with entries open at www.Facebook.com/TheFACup. Winners will be chosen at random ahead of Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Round ties.
An overall winner will then be selected to win a sleepover with the trophy for their family at Wembley Stadium the night before The FA Cup Final.
As well as that, one child from each of ten selected FA Cup Third Round ties will also be given the opportunity to become a player escort at semi-final match at Wembley Stadium in 2014 - and will have the unique chance to walk out alongside their heroes before the start of a game in front of 90,000 screaming fans.
