National TV broadcast live from the Barton Stadium!
1874 Northwich FC have been contacted by the BBC News Sportsday programme who wish to attend the game, preview it and do live interviews at the ground for their 6.30 pm programme which is broadcast on the BBC News Channel ( 130 on Freeview and 503 on Sky). Cameras will be around from 6.00 pm onwards to do interviews with officials of both clubs to link in with their ever popular Road to Wembley theme for this year’s competition.
After initial contact was made made last week, Paul Stockton, Chairman of 1874, spoke with BBC Sports News Producer Andy Dickman to confirm that the BBC were interested in featuring the game. ‘Andy was actually at Trent Bridge and we spoke just as Australia lost their fifth wicket at about 11.30am. I was of course watching the cricket on television but Andy can always say ‘I was there when Stuart Broad took the Aussies apart with 8 for 15′!’.
Paul continues ‘we are absolutely delighted that the BBC News Sports team have chosen this game to start off their journey to Wembley. The match is one of four in the competition to kick off on Friday evening so we will have to make sure we kick off on time! This game will in fact be our first ever Friday evening game, we are hoping for a good crowd that will watch an entertaining game. Representatives from the NWCFL and Winsford United will be in attendance on Friday evening as, of course, will our friends from West Didsbury and Chorlton!’
Rob Turley, West Didsbury and Chorlton secretary added ‘BBC coverage is great PR for both our clubs and the North West Counties League and, like 1874, we’re recent entrants to the FA Cup and this is only our 3rd season and first away fixture. Previously we’ve got through the first game [with a home win and walkover last season] only to lose out to Evo Stik opposition in the next round. It’s Friday night football for the first time for us too and a big crowd should bring out the best in both teams who play an attractive passing game for spectators to enjoy. 1874 are probably favourites given home advantage but we’ll do our best to cause an upset whilst maintaining the many friendships enjoyed between our two clubs in recent years.’