I have decided to go across the Pennines to Ashton Under Lyne to watch an FA Cup tie (First Round Proper replay) between Curzon Ashton FC and Westfields.
Westfields, lads from Herefordshire, represent the lowest placed club in the Pyramid left in the Cup. They sit on level 9, playing in the Midlands League Premier, whilst their lofty opponents are Level 6 in the Vanarama National League North.
This is a replay, so we could argue that Westfields have had their moment of glory earning some cash and "winning" a 1-1 draw with Curzon at their Widemarsh Ground. The club nicknamed The Fields, has a nice rural theme to it.
Curzon known as "The Nash", for a reason I could not find, warmed up at the weekend with a 2-0 win over Gloucester City in their league. Their next game is against another catheral side, Worcester City, in the FA Trophy.
Westfields, on the other hand move in less heady circles, have recently beaten Sherwood Colliery in the FA Vase. The Colliery was recently put in its place by my local pyramid side Penistone Church FC. So this puts things into perspective.
Imagine the Church in the First Round Proper of the FA Cup, with about £30,000 in their bank. We dream.
Curzon Ashton FC was founded in 1963 when lads from Curzon Road FC and Ashton Amateurs amalgamated and they joined the Manchester Amateur League. In 2005-6 they were lucky to find themselves located at the luxurious Tameside Stadium, opened by Sir Alex Ferguson and a Manchester United XI. Outside the stadium is a "trio" statue depicting Geoff Hurst (ex West Ham and England and the FA), Jimmy Armfield (ex Blackpool and England full back and broadcaster) and Simone Perrotta (ex Roma and Italy) all born in Ashton.
Westfields got going in 1966 after the World Cup triumph when some local lads played pub sudes and then joined a local Sunday League.
During the momentous year, they chose West Ham colours in memory of the Hammers trio.
Nice link there then!
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