BT Sport is giving grassroots footballers across England a once in a lifetime opportunity to play on Wembley’s hallowed turf, as the BT Sport Pub Cup makes its return. Men and Women’s football teams will have the opportunity to enter with their local pub and be crowned the best pub team in the land in a national 7-a-side tournament.
The free-to-enter competition, celebrating pub football teams within the community, with events at Manchester City’s training base, Etihad Campus, on 18th July and the former England training ground Bisham Abbey on 24th and 25th July. The winners of the seven-a-side men’s and women’s tournaments will have the chance to walk out under the famous Wembley Arch and compete for the cup on 8th August.
The BT Sport Pub Cup will see pubs and players re-united. Applying is as easy, Pubs can either enter with their existing associated team or they can link up with a local grassroots team to play in the tournament by signing up at www.bt.com/sport/pub-cup before midnight on 18th June.
The 2019 men’s edition of the BT Sport Pub Cup saw CJ’s Bar and Restaurant in Nuneaton win a thrilling final against Scottish side The Inn Elderslie at a rain-soaked St James’ Park. With the scores locked at 3-3 with a quarter-of-an-hour to play, Brady Middleton scored a volley from the edge of the box to take the Pub Cup, and the celebrations, back to CJ’s.
The women’s Pub Cup was won by West Midland’s team, Shifnal Town, who won an equally gripping final against The Golden Hind 5 – 4.
Bruce Cuthbert, Director Commercial Customers, BT Sport, said: “After a long time away from grassroots football and our local pubs we are delighted to be able to give grassroots pub teams a chance to get back on the pitch.
This year, we are back with a bang, and hosting the final at Wembley will allow us to make many players’ dreams a reality, as they step out onto the hallowed turf and home of England.
It is set to be a memorable competition for all 80 teams involved, reuniting the pubs and clubs community and giving grassroots teams the playing opportunities that they’ve missed during lockdown, at some of the best facilities in the world.”
Shane Coates-Jarman, licensee of the 2019 men’s Pub Cup champions CJ’s of Nuneaton commented: “We have fantastic memories and the lads loved it. They can’t wait to get together again to defend the title. They are so excited because it’s a dream to play somewhere like Wembley. We can’t wait”
The winners of this year’s Pub Cup will also receive free BT Sport for their pub for a year and £1,000 to spend in the BT shop.
BT Sport will aim to notify successful entrants by 22nd June.
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