The FA Cup's 50th anniversary "Journey to Wembley" series begins at Nelson FC, a club whose home ground is affectionately known as 'Little Wembley.' This ninth-tier side holds a unique place in football history as the first British team to defeat Real Madrid on Spanish soil in 1923.
The club's ground in east Lancashire, once adjacent to a cotton mill, has undergone significant transformation. Decades ago, locals began calling it 'Little Wembley' due to the quality of its pitch. Today, improvements include new club shop and stand facilities built from converted shipping containers, a modern food service area, and a 'Sponsors Lounge.' These upgrades are part of a mission by co-owners Chris Price and Stewart Fort, who purchased the club for approximately £30,000 two years ago, aiming to elevate it from tier 10 to the Northern Premier League (tier eight).
Nelson FC faced financial difficulties and poor on-pitch performance in recent years, with a lumpy, frequently flooded pitch and low attendance. The co-owners have invested an estimated £700,000, supported by £162,000 from the FA, to revitalize the club. Despite progress, including promotion to the North West Counties Premier Division last season, challenges persist. Seven of the ground's eight floodlights recently failed, requiring contractors to expedite repairs.
For clubs like Nelson, the FA Cup represents a crucial source of income. Reaching the First Round Proper could yield nearly £25,000, a significant boost for a club where players are paid an average of £100 per week. Manager Arron Ripley, who was previously dismissed and then rehired, emphasizes the importance of local talent and thorough preparation. The team defeated Stockport Georgians 3-2 in their opening FA Cup tie, with goals from Lewis Brown, Sefton Gonzales, and a winner from Gonzales, who also performed a backflip celebration.
Nelson's next opponent in the Preliminary Round will be Witton Albion. The club also boasts a unique historical statistic of a 100% home record against Manchester United, stemming from a single past victory. The "Journey to Wembley" series aims to capture the essence of "real football"—its hopes, dreams, triumphs, and setbacks—by following a club through the competition until their defeat, then transferring allegiance to the victor, mirroring a project undertaken 50 years prior by Daily Mail football writer Brian James.