Burghfield aim to emulate legendary Theale side in FA Sunday Cup

Burghfield's Sunday side. Photo provided by Burghfield FC.
Burghfield's Sunday side. Photo provided by Burghfield FC.

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1992. Elm Park.

Reading & District Sunday League titans Theale FC have just beaten Wolverhampton based Marston Saints 3-2 at the home of Reading Football Club to lift the 1991/92 FA Sunday Cup.

The (at the time) eight-time Senior Division winners had battled through six rounds to reach the final against Marston (who were beaten finalists in 1990 but would lift the trophy in 1997) with Graham Hambridge scoring the winner.

Fast-forward to 2021 and Burghfield are aiming to follow in their West Berkshire neighbours footsteps as one of 64 teams entered into the 2021/22 competition along with fellow Berks & Bucks FA sides MK Galacticos and Singh Sabha Slough.

The draw for the first round takes place on Friday at 1pm with teams from across the country entering from as far-flung locations such as Hull, Liverpool and Sunderland which could make for some excellent away days!

Burghfield’s James Rowe said: “Having won the Tilehurst Charity Cup in 2020  we feel this is a reward for both our players and management to test themselves on a national stage. We’re all really excited to see who we get in the first round.”

First played in 1961 and sanctioned by the FA for the 1964/65 final, the competition has a rich history with Merseyside based Campfield the current holders after winning a tight 2019/20 final 1-0 after extra time at St George’s Park.

First-round matches will be played on the 5th December with the following round on 16th January.

4,000 people at Elm Park for a Sunday League match

Football in Berkshire spoke to former Reading Evening Post Sports Reporter (Sir) Ralph Webb who said: “Theale won the national FA Sunday Cup in the early 90s and dominated the Reading & District Sunday League around then. They were replaced by Reading Borough as the top team. Before that, Dee Road Rangers were best. But Theale top the lot!

“Dave Crowdy was manager, Andy Parr was the star midfielder and they beat Marston Sports from Wolverhampton 3-2 in front of 4,000 people at Elm Park.”

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