FA Cup: Maltby Main and Frickley Athletic handed big screen test

Unlike Leeds United, two Yorkshire sides are preparing to bask in the glory of a watching national audience this weekend.
Spencer Fearn: Faces former club.Spencer Fearn: Faces former club.
Spencer Fearn: Faces former club.

While the hierarchy and supporters of the Whites continue to bemoan their constant TV exposure, Maltby Main and Frickley Athletic are eagerly awaiting their rare chance of a screen test.

The pair, separated by just 16 miles and one division, will contest an FA Cup first qualifying round tie at Maltby’s Muglet Lane tomorrow lunchtime (12.30pm).

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Not only does the fixture, being screened by the BBC online, represent a significant boost to each club’s coffers but it also gives some much-needed airtime to two members of the non-league fraternity.

“I’ve been involved in non-league since I was 17 and I’ve not looked more forward to a game,” Maltby chairman Wilf Race told The Yorkshire Post.

“We were as surprised as anyone when the email landed asking if we would agree to screening the game – it was a no-brainer.

“The financial side of it is obviously a big incentive but for both teams this is a chance to show what non-league football is all about. I tip my hat to the BBC.”

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As well as £1,000 that each club is handed for the game being screened, the winners of the tie pocket £6,000.

The fixture has added spice with Frickley chief Spencer Fearn returning to face his former club, having also lured a handful of players down the same path since his move 16 months ago.

“There’s a little bit of history between the two clubs,” said Frickley chairman Stuart Highfield.

“Obviously, Spencer was manager at Maltby before and there’s a few players from either side coming up against each other so it could be spicy. We played them pre-season and won 4-3 so, hopefully, there’ll be a repeat.”