Deep anticipation as Hull hosts third round draw of the FA Cup

In what constitutes a sporting hat-trick for the award-winning venue, which has already provided a spectacular backdrop for the Olympic Torch Relay and the Queen’s Baton Relay for the Commonwealth Games, England legend Alan Shearer will conduct the draw in partnership with Paul Adamson, a grassroots coach with the East Riding County FA.

It will all take place against the backdrop of a huge tank containing 2.5 million litres of water, 87 tonnes of salt and thousands of marine creatures.

The event will be broadcast live on BBC Two in a special programme presented by Mark Chapman, the regular host of Match of the Day 2, and attended by Hull City Manager Steve Bruce and team captain Curtis Davies.

Freya Cross, Business and Corporate Manager at The Deep, said: “The people of Hull and the surrounding area are passionate about sport, the area has a great sporting heritage and Hull City came so close to actually winning the FA Cup last season.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity once again to host a major sporting event and we want to make sure we do everything we can to show a live TV audience what a fantastic attraction we have at The Deep and what a wonderful city we have in Hull, the 2017 UK City of Culture.”

Hull has strong links with the FA Cup through Ebenezer Cobb Morley, who was born in the city in 1831 and who, after moving to London, drafted the first laws of the FA at his home in Barnes.

A live audience will watch the proceedings, which will be broadcast at 7pm on Monday December 8.

Freya added: “The Deep opened in 2002 and is recognised as the most successful Millennium project in the UK. Football is coming home to the birthplace of Ebenezer Cobb Morley and we’re working hard to make the most of the honour of being involved.”

Free tickets for the event are available at www.bbc.co.uk/tickets