Ahead of today's Emirates FA Cup Final, Wembley Stadium has lit up its iconic arch in the colours of all 737 teams to play in the competition this season, including Newport County AFC.
737 teams from Step 6 of the National League system through to the Premier League took part in the 137th edition of the world’s oldest domestic cup competition, involving over 11,000 players and resulting in over 3,000 goals.
Days before the showpiece Final which will be played at Wembley Stadium connected by EE, the stadium’s arch and big screen lit up to celebrate every one of the clubs, from the 370 who started in the Extra Preliminary Round in early August through to the two Premier League finalists who will be battling it out for the trophy this weekend.
County's remarkable, giant-killing Emirates FA Cup run to the Fourth Round did earn us a place at the final however!
Shawn McCoulsky's dramatic late winner vs Leeds United earned him a place amongst the 137 goalscorer names which will adourn the match ball and supporter Sean Edwards, whose FA Cup Poem: A Cup Run For All was read by Michael Sheen along side County fans, is going to be representing the Exiles in the Fans Choir who are singing Abide With Me.
Academy graduate Momodou Touray is also on the Emirates FA Cup Final ball after scoring "a worldy" for Merthyr Town in their Emirates FA Cup victory over Willand Rovers.
This season’s Emirates FA Cup Final kicks off at 17:15 on Saturday 19 May and will see Antonio Conte’s Chelsea and Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United go head to head for the coveted silverware.
DON'T FORGET! Watch Bob, Jeff, Susan and Rebecca from the Newport County AFC Club Shop as part of the FA Cup build up show on BBC One from 3.20pm on Saturday.
