COVERAGE IS KEY

After four rounds of the FA Cup, there is still a further ten rounds before the hallowed turf of the new Wembley Stadium welcomes the finalists of the 2009/10 competition.

For the current team I'm following, Guiseley AFC, this must seem a world away from the last match and win over Bamber Bridge.

While it is unlikely that Guiseley will reach the FA Cup Final, they will at least play a vital role in making the competition one of the world's best.

Without teams like Bamber Bridge, Guiseley and their next opponents, Kendal Town, the romance and history of the FA Cup would simply vanish. In a word, the smaller clubs, not the big ones, make the FA Cup what it is.

The next round (third qualifying) is just a week away and it promises to be a great game between Guiseley and Kendal Town. Both team occupy lofty positions in the Unibond Premier League so a lot is at stake.

I'm pleased to note further coverage in regional newspapers. The Chester Chronicle, Liverpool Echo, Liverpool Daily Post have continued with updates on the runcorn2wembley campaign, and now a new media outlet has covered it.

The Wharfedale Observer is now following the campaign's progress and I hope they continue to update people on the route it takes to Wembley.

To date the money raised is over £800; to donate just click here

Click on the relevant lnks below for the coverage:

Chester Chronicle

Wharfedale Observer

I'll be back with more thoughts early next week as we near the fifth round of the campaign.

Have a good weekend and may your football team win.

This weekend's fixtures for the clubs I've followed are:

Guiseley AFC V Woksop Town (LEAGUE)
Market Drayton Town v Bamber Bridge (FA TROPHY)
Squires Gate v Maine Road (LEAGUE)
Runcorn Linnets v St Helens Town (LEAGUE)

COVERAGE & DONATIONS CONTINUE

As memories of the third round of the mammoth FA Cup fundraising campaign, Runcorn2wembley, slowly move away, coverage and donations continue to increase.

Thank you to everyone who has donated money for Cancer Research UK, the total has now reached over £600, with more coming in, click here to donate.

Coverage has now appeared on TV as Channel M covered the fundraising as part of footage of the FA Cup and Maine Road FC.

For those of you who haven't seen it, here's the link - Channel M coverage

There's also online coverage in the Runcorn Weekly News, click here , and Chester Chronicle, click here.

With further coverage projected in the Southport Visitor on Friday 18th Sept and next week in the Wharfedale Observer, the word is spreading fast.

Finally, looking ahead to the Second Qualifying Round (the campaign's fourth round) the trail leads to Yorkshire and Guiseley AFC.

I've spoken to Guiseley's chairman and gained permission to collect at the ground. Looking forward to meeting everyone up there, both friends from Bamber Bridge and everyone associated with Guiseley AFC.

More thoughts and updates this weekend.