Ray Stubbs has been on tour with the FA Cup
© ESPN.co.uk
Enlarge
On Wednesday, August 25, ESPN kicks off a programme of community events around the FA Cup.
Coinciding with the preliminary round - ESPN will spend the day in the Lancashire region.
We will host an "ESPN FA Cup soccer school" at Lancaster City FC, providing children from across Lancashire the chance to learn from Lancashire FA coaches, meet ESPN's Rebecca Lowe and have their photograph taken with the FA Cup trophy. In addition, Kevin Ratcliffe, the famous ex-Everton star and FA Cup winner, will be in attendance.
Later in the day, we move on to Caton, Lancashire, to hold an "ESPN FA Cup night", where Rebecca and Kevin will take part in an informal fan-chat and meet-and-greet evening, giving local football fans the chance to share Rebecca and Kevin's stories of the FA Cup and to hold the FA Cup trophy.
Soccer School - 3pm - 5pm at Lancaster City FC ground
* Lancashire FA to bring approximately 40 children (boys and girls) - ages 10, 11, 12 from the local area from their local academies and centres of excellence
* Lancaster City FC to bring approx 10 children (boys and girls) - ages 10, 11, 12
* Lancashire FA to bring three coaches and lead training sessions, along with two coaches from Lancaster City FC
* FA Cup trophy will be in attendance
* Lancashire FA CEO, Dave Burgess, some of his executives, and, Lancaster City FC chairman and manager to attend
* ESPN FA Cup Giantkiller - a locally relevant ex footballer with FA Cup history - Kevin Ratcliffe to attend both events
* Ratcliffe had a successful FA Cup career, reaching the final on four occasions with Everton and winning the cup in 1984
* 1983/84 Season Everton: Ratcliffe captained Everton during the FA Cup final against Watford and won 2-0
* 1984/85 season Everton: reached the final against Manchester United and lost 1-0
* 1985/86 season Everton: reached the final against Liverpool and lost 3-1
* 1988/89 season Everton: reached the final against Liverpool and lost 3-2
* Why host at Lancaster City FC?
* In the FA Cup, Lancaster City have reached the first round proper on 14
occasions, progressing to the second round twice - one of the best FA Cup records of any amateur team
* Lancaster City were the winners of the First Division North's Fair Play first prize of £1,000 last season for the best disciplinary record in that Division
Pub Night - 8pm - 9pm Old Station Hotel, Caton
* Station Hotel Pub, Caton, Lancaster, Hornby Road, LA2 9QS
* Q&A: open to fans to ask Rebecca and Kevin questions
* Informal style "state of union"/"state of football" debate
* Who will win the FA Cup?
* Which Lancs team will do well this season?
* Does the FA Cup still matter?
© ESPN EMEA Ltd
