1874 NORTHWICH striker Sam Hind will be kicked all over Wembley during the FA Cup Final on Saturday – that is, his name will!
For his name will be one of 137 players featuring on the match ball when Chelsea and Manchester United meet at the national stadium.
The 'Ball For All', a Nike Ordem V, celebrates players from Step Six of the National League System through to the Premier League, who all share the accolade of scoring in this season's edition of the world’s oldest domestic knockout competition.
In a second nod to 1874, the club's name will appear among the other 736 teams to have played in this season's competition when Wembley lights up its iconic arch and outer screen.
Hind's and 1874's 'appearances' are a fitting conclusion to what was a memorable and historic FA Cup campaign.
Not only did they reach the first qualifying round for the first time in their short history, they secured four wins before bowing out on penalties in a third qualifying round replay at Ossett Town.
Hind's contribution in the run was significant from the start.
His 57th-minute goal against West Didsbury & Chorlton in the preliminary round back in August was the spark to a revival at a point when the visitors looked destined to progress.
It is that goal which has been chosen by the FA to be represented by name on Saturday's cup final ball.
All the names included represent goalscorers from every round, beginning at the extra preliminary round through to the semi-finals.
Hind will be in good company as a selection of players' names will feature for having scored some of the most memorable and impactful strikes, including:
- Liam Pullen of Chipping Sodbury Town, whose strike in the extra preliminary round was the club’s first in the competition
- Noah Keats, whose goal in the fourth qualifying round saw Truro City become the first Cornish side to reach the first round proper since 1969
- League One Wigan Athletic’s Will Grigg, whose strike against Manchester City sealed a famous fifth-round victory
- Alexis Sánchez and Willian, who both scored decisive goals for this season’s finalists
Andy Ambler, The FA’s Director of Professional Game Relations, said: “One of the most special things about The Emirates FA Cup is that a goalscorer in the extra preliminary round shares the same accolade as some of football’s most famous names.
"More than 3,000 goals have been scored in this season’s competition, from all levels of the football pyramid and the 137 from across the country are representative of all who have contributed to this season’s competition.”
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