FA Cup history will once again be made in Kent this weekend as Punjab United make their debut in the Greatest Cup Competition in the World.
Not only is their Extra Preliminary Round tie with Sussex’s Broadbridge Heath from the Southern Combination Football League, the club’s first it has also been chosen for live streaming by the BBC and the FA meaning that the game will kick off at 12.30 on Saturday lunchtime.
All in all, it’s meant a real baptism of fire for Punjab secretary Jindi Banwait who has been talking to KSN about the build up to the clubs’ biggest ever game!
Jindi told us, “We were asked about a month ago if we’d be interested in taking part in the BBC game – whether it was off the back of the documentary I’m not too sure – have to admit that there probably is a link somewhere – I was asked to keep the initial discussions under wraps which was difficult around the club, but was very grateful as soon as the FA made the announcement through their website after the draw was made that we could share the good news with the Club first and foremost, and the community as a whole.”
“I did send an email round to Club officials saying, “hopefully some great news in a few days’ time”, and you’ll be amazed how many thought we’d signed a top striker!”
“But once the email from the FA came through – and Broadbridge Heath knew as well – we were able to start telling people. It was only then that I spoke to Chippie Sian (the club chairman) and he was good as gold – he’s not always, but this time he was.”
“The minute we agreed we only had 36 hours for someone to come down from the BBC in Salford to come to the ground to check everything out – we’ve already got a media tower which helps.”
“Incredibly the news had to be announced on the BBC website before we were able to announce it – and all this in the Club’s very first FA Cup tie ever. We didn’t enter the competition last year as we hadn’t played in the Vase – but what great and exciting times.”
But the real fun for the Club starts on Friday afternoon, when the Club has a very special guest arriving.
Jindi explained, “Chippie’s called in I don’t know how many stops and favours and the FA Cup itself is going to be at the ground on Friday afternoon. We’re going big on the whole game – it’s something that we’re really going into the Community for.”
“We want to get more into the ground and into the club from all different cultures which I think, we as a club do very well. But we’ve got to remember that at the end of the day there is a game of football to be won too and if we win that we’ll be away to Hastings United – and that’s the one!”
“But we’re strictly focusing everything on Saturday for now – it’s an early start for everyone as the game is a 12.30 start. All our kids’ teams will hopefully be turning out to support us as they normally train on Saturday mornings – we’re hoping for a big crowd to really get behind us.”
“We’ve done loads to the ground during the summer – Chippy and Sonny have done wonders during the summer; new much bigger changing facilities, new rooms for the referees. The landlord has been brilliant and given us our lease – this is a massive step for us now. This will help take us onto that next level, there is no doubt with the facilities that we’ve now got – we really can’t wait for people to come down and have a look at it beginning this weekend.”
THE FA CUP WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE CLUB THIS FRIDAY AFTERNOON BETWEEN 3.00PM AND 7.00PM FOR ANY WHO’D LIKE A PICTURE TAKEN WITH THE TROPHY FROM WHAT IS STIILL THE GREATEST CUP COMPETITION IN THE WORLD.
THE FULL ADDRESS IS THE MARNOCH FOOTBALL STADIUM AT THE ELITE VENUE, DUNKIRK CLOSE, GRAVESEND, DA12 5ND