PLAYERS in a Northern League team are packing their football boots for the trip of a lifetime thanks to cash from the FA.
West Auckland Town AFC hope to repeat their historic World Cup victory over Juventus in 1911 by travelling to play the under-19s side in August.
The Italian club agreed to the challenge earlier this month, but the County Durham club have been desperately short of money to pay for the trip.
Their cash nightmare is now a dream come true after the FA stepped in last week to offer £10,000 towards travel.
Allen Bayle, secretary of West Auckland, said the team was delighted with the news.
“We went for a drink when we found out,” he said. “We are over the moon.
“This is a dream that we have had for a very long time becoming a reality. We never thought it would happen, but it has.”
The rematch was organised to mark the centenary of West Auckland’s first World Cup triumph in 1909, when they beat Swiss side Winterthur.
At the time, the team was made up mainly of miners and the cup was known as the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy – after the famous businessman.
News of the rematch comes as Lipton’s, the tea company, pledged to pay for copies of the 1909 strip for the trip – black with an amber V.
Mr Bayles said although they face daunting competition, they will treat it like any other game.
“It is 11 against 11 – anybody can win,” he said.
“You have got to think about those people that went out there 100 years ago, they won two seasons running.
“If we come back with a win that really will be something to talk about.”
Mr Bayles is also hopeful that West Auckland supporters from the North-East will join them on their adventure to give them a boost.
“It’s not just the squad, the whole village is talking about it,” he said.
We hope we can get a couple of coaches along with us for a bit of support.”
Places on the coach and ferry can be booked for £250 per person by visiting Co-operative Travel in Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland.
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