Ex-pros To Make History With Wembley FC

A host of former football internationals including Ray Parlour, Martin Keown, Graeme Le Saux, Claudio Caniggia and Brian McBride return to the game this weekend, stepping out for Combined Counties Premier Division side Wembley FC in their Extra Preliminary Round FA Cup tie against Langford FC.

While a record gate is expected this Saturday at the newly refurbished Vale Farm ground, the game also marks a moment in broadcasting history: it will be the first time an Extra Preliminary FA Cup tie has been shown on live TV. 

The match will also be simulcast, airing live in the UK on ESPN and simultaneously streamed to fans around the globe via Budweiser’s Facebook page and www.BudUnited.com.

The match sees former England boss and Wembley FC Technical Advisor Terry Venables take his place in the dugout, calling the legends out of retirement for the domestic cup competition.

Terry Venables, Wembley FC Technical Advisor, said: ‘The FA Cup holds some very special memories for me, from my time as both a player and a manager. The new boys coming in have a wealth of experience at the very highest level and people like Ray Parlour have the FA Cup winner medals to prove it. That can only help the lads here and shine a light on the importance of grassroots football here in the UK and around the world.’

Jason Warner, Global Vice President, Budweiser, added: Last season’s FA Cup was one of the most nail-biting and exciting to date, and it’s something we all want to see again. Broadcasting the game live on ESPN is a first for a tie at this stage of the competition, and in conjunction with the live stream online will bring the magic of the FA Cup closer to passionate football fans across the globe.’

The progress of Wembley FC in this season‘s FA Cup is to be shown as part of a documentary series to be broadcast on ESPN from 16th August 2012 at 10pm. The eight part series entitled ‘Dream On’. 

The game, on 11th August, kicks off at 12.45pm.