James's FA CUP ROUND BY ROUND JOURNEY 2014/15
James Sakal is raising money for Multiple Sclerosis Society
In memory of Richard Sakal
Story
I am undertaking a round by round FA Cup challenge, to try and raise money for the MS Society. The premise is simple but the challenge is definitely not. For non-footballing people unacquainted with the FA Cup, it is a knock-out tournament with 14 rounds. Beginning in August 2014 with the 'extra preliminary round', it concludes in May 2015 with the final. This idea had its genesis when I attended a game back in sunny August, got hooked and decided to follow the winning team into the next round. I wondered whether I could keep this trail going through all 14 rounds and to the final itself.
Some reasons why this is difficult:
- Who the winners face in the next round, and indeed where, is randomised by drawing balls out of a bag on live TV. Thus I will not know where I'm heading next until a few weeks before the game itself. Could be Hartlepool, could be Torquay, you get the picture.
- Games are often rescheduled to Fridays/Sundays/Mondays at short notice for TV coverage, making planning that extra bit tricky.
- If two teams draw, they must replay the game at the opponents' stadium, usually 10 days later on a midweek night. This is a logistical challenge at the best of times, not least considering there are teams at all geographic extremities of England and Wales and I will be travelling predominantly by public transport.
- Clearly I need to be able to free my diary for all 14 round weekends and potential replay dates. Work, social events and university deadlines will just have to take a back seat...
- As the tournament progresses, simply getting hold a ticket for the big games becomes a challenge in itself. In particular, tickets for the semi-finals and final at Wembley are like gold dust.
- I am funding the travel/ticket expenses entirely myself, on a student budget. No money is taken from the charity fund for this purpose - so you can donate safe in the knowledge that it's all going to a good cause!
I am taking my camera to every game and building up a collection of photos, which I will post here along with updates.
And so to the charity...
My uncle Dick suffered with MS from the age of 19 until his death a few years ago. The MS Society were always there for him and made his last years as bearable as possible given what is a very debilitating disease. I have seen first-hand both what a terrible affliction MS is and the sterling work the charity do. Dick was a keen Colchester United fan, and although Colchester have basically zero chance of winning the FA Cup themselves, the challenge does seem somehow apt. I know it's a tough time of year and money is tight, but please give whatever you can as there are people whose quality of life can really be improved thanks to your kindness!
Thank you.
Some reasons why this is difficult:
- Who the winners face in the next round, and indeed where, is randomised by drawing balls out of a bag on live TV. Thus I will not know where I'm heading next until a few weeks before the game itself. Could be Hartlepool, could be Torquay, you get the picture.
- Games are often rescheduled to Fridays/Sundays/Mondays at short notice for TV coverage, making planning that extra bit tricky.
- If two teams draw, they must replay the game at the opponents' stadium, usually 10 days later on a midweek night. This is a logistical challenge at the best of times, not least considering there are teams at all geographic extremities of England and Wales and I will be travelling predominantly by public transport.
- Clearly I need to be able to free my diary for all 14 round weekends and potential replay dates. Work, social events and university deadlines will just have to take a back seat...
- As the tournament progresses, simply getting hold a ticket for the big games becomes a challenge in itself. In particular, tickets for the semi-finals and final at Wembley are like gold dust.
- I am funding the travel/ticket expenses entirely myself, on a student budget. No money is taken from the charity fund for this purpose - so you can donate safe in the knowledge that it's all going to a good cause!
I am taking my camera to every game and building up a collection of photos, which I will post here along with updates.
And so to the charity...
My uncle Dick suffered with MS from the age of 19 until his death a few years ago. The MS Society were always there for him and made his last years as bearable as possible given what is a very debilitating disease. I have seen first-hand both what a terrible affliction MS is and the sterling work the charity do. Dick was a keen Colchester United fan, and although Colchester have basically zero chance of winning the FA Cup themselves, the challenge does seem somehow apt. I know it's a tough time of year and money is tight, but please give whatever you can as there are people whose quality of life can really be improved thanks to your kindness!
Thank you.