Alvechurch set FA Cup record straight

Sep 12 2008

EAGER Alvechurch officials have been quick to point out an increasingly oft-repeated error made in last week’s Argus.

It was claimed Chasetown were the lowest-ranked side ever to reach the FA Cup Third Round following their clash with eventual finalists Cardiff City last season.

However Alvechurch usurped the Scholars achievement back in 1974 when they squared up to Bradford City, at Valley Parade.

The Church were then a West Midland League side having been promoted the previous season.

The match was made even more unique, because it was the first ever FA Cup tie to be staged on a Sunday.

Church company secretary Roy Yardley explained: “It was during the miners’ strike and we were given the option of playing the game either on Saturday or Sunday”.

Alvechurch are already immortalised in FA Cup folklore having been involved in the longest ever tie against Oxford City.

The Church have only just recently reached another milestone having spent the past 50 years at their current home, Lye Meadow.