FA Cup. Players Incentive

As Walsall face a trip to non league Merthyr Tydfil in the First Round of the FA Cup all the players have an extra incentive. They want to be named player of the round and the opportunity is there for them, especially before the ‘big boys’ join the Cup race in the 3rd round!

This is the 125th year of the FA Cup but only the 3rd year of the ‘Player of the Round’ awards, sponsored by Umbro. They select a player of every round to make up the FA’s ‘Team of The FA Cup 2005-06’.


A panel sits to make the decisions, this year it comprises of: Brian Barwick, Chief Executive of The FA. Ricky George from The Daily Telegraph. David Watters, Editor of the Non League Paper. Mark Clemmit of BBC Radio 5Live presenter and Jeff Stirling of Sky Sports.


The player who wins the award each month will win £1,000 worth of UMBRO kit and equipment for a school, club or organisation of his choice and joins the ‘Team of the FA Cup’, who are presented with a silver salver from the FA and a guaranteed VIP place at the 2006 FA Cup Final with a pitch-side introduction at half-time.