FA Cup by dugout

Haverhill is ready to go FA Cup crazy

HAVERHILL is getting ready to go FA Cup crazy on Saturday.

HAVERHILL is getting ready to go FA Cup crazy on Saturday.

The BBC cameras and the FA Cup itself will be at The New Croft for the Extra Preliminary Round match between rivals Haverhill Rovers and Haverhill Borough, kick-off 12.30pm.

The BBC have this season committed to showing at least one game from every round of the world’s oldest cup competition, which gets under way on Saturday.

Peter Betts, Facilities Manager and Football Development Officer at The New Croft, where the two clubs are based, said: “It is a huge event for the town of Haverhill and is brilliant for both clubs and great for the site.

“People in the town probably don’t realise how fortunate we are to have such a facility provided by The FA and the Football Foundation, and this is great recognition of the money that has gone into grassroots football.

“The New Croft is also a ‘Respect Champion’ site which will give exposure to the Respect programme as well.

“The two clubs will do well out of the day in terms of the sponsorship and marketing side of their clubs through playing each other in the most prestigious competition in cup football.

“As a Community Club the kids involved with Rovers will get to see what the FA Cup is all about.

“The two sides beat each other once last season, but won’t be playing each other this season as they are in different divisions.”

Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division side Rovers will enjoy home advantage against Borough, who were relegated back to Division One of the league at the end of last season.

Betts said it was difficult to estimate the size of the crowd, with previous games between the two rivals attracting between 350 and 700 spectators.

“We had a big gate when they met on a Friday evening, but the fact that this is on a Saturday lunchtime and a lot of the local leagues have yet to start their fixtures should help.

“Realistically, it could be anything between 500 and 1,000 who come along to watch,” he added.

Entrance prices are £6 for adults, £4 for OAPs and £1 for under-16s.

Gates will open at 11am and there will be photo opportunities with the FA Cup right through until the end of the game.

Those tuning in will be able to watch the match live on the BBC Sport website, app and iPlayer.

Audiences will be able to watch the action unfold live on PC, mobile or connected TV. Matches will also be available live and on-demand on the BBC iPlayer.

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