FA Cup dreams kick off with Humber Bridge derby

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James FletcherEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

News image — The so-called Humber Bridge derby will feature North Ferriby Football Club and Barton Town

PA Media A drone image of the Humber Bridge which is stretching into the distance over the Humber estuary. Green fields and trees can be seen on both banks of the water. Several vehicles are visible on the carriageway. — The so-called Humber Bridge derby will feature North Ferriby Football Club and Barton Town

Dreams of reaching the next round of one of the world's most prestigious football competitions have hit two football clubs, separated by eight miles (5km) and the Humber Estuary.

The first qualifying round of the FA Cup will take place later with North Ferriby Football Club and Barton Town contesting a "Humber Bridge derby" with hopes of taking a step closer to Wembley.

The clubs, separated by a bridge which was once the longest of its kind anywhere in the world, are expecting a bumper crowd at the Church Road ground in East Yorkshire.

"There's a lot of needle in this one," Barton chairman Joe Lamplough laughs. "There's a lot to play for, it's a competitive level and it's going to be brilliant.

"I work with their assistant manager every day, there's a lot of friends playing against each other as well. It's going to be brilliant."

North Ferriby Football Club An aerial view of a small football stadium bathed in bright sunshine. Spectators can be seen gathered in the stands with players taking part in training sessions on the pitch. The stadium is surrounded by fields and trees. — Officials hope more than 1,000 fans will head to Church Road to watch the clash between the two sides

Lamplough's counterpart in East Yorkshire, Les Hare, is equally excited by the tie, which will be played at his side's 3,000 capacity stadium.

He says: "We very rarely get a local derby and it's a good opportunity for fans on both sides of the Humber to get together and enjoy the competition.

"There's bragging rights up for grabs. Most of the players live locally so it's going to be highly competitive."

As well as the footballing spectacle, each side are also expecting a financial boost with the winners getting £2,250 in prize money and the loser going home with £750.

Lamplough adds: "The further in [the competition] you get, the better it is money-wise. We're in need of it financially and getting to the next round would be the furthest we've ever been in the competition."

A satellite map of the Humber Estuary showing a route between North Ferriby FC on the north bank and Barton Town Football Club on the south bank. A dashed white line crosses the Humber Bridge and connects the two clubs. In the foreground, a large road-sign graphic reads “Humber Bridge Derby – 8 miles” and features illustrations of a football and the Humber Bridge. — The two sides are separated by the world famous Humber Bridge

A short trip down the A63 lies the MKM Stadium, which is home to Hull City who are also in action when they take on Aston Villa at 17:30 BST.

Realising their own tie might not capture the global audience of the Premier League, the two teams have agreed to move their own kick-off time to 14:00 in the hope it will attract more fans.

Hare said: "I'm mindful of Hull City playing at home, so we've agreed to move the kick-off time to two o'clock."

Lamplough adds: "We'd like as many people there as possible. Come support us or Ferriby, it doesn't matter. We just want to see people there."

North Ferriby Football Club A North Ferriby Football Club squad photograph taken on the pitch in front of the main stand. Players, coaches and club officials are arranged in three rows, with seated individuals at the front and standing rows behind. Players wear the club's white-and-green home kit, while goalkeepers wear gold shirts. A large sign above the stand reads “NORTH FERRIBY FOOTBALL CLUB”, with rows of grey and green seats visible in the background. — North Ferriby Football Club play in the Northern Premier League East Division

Barton Town Football Club/Jennifer Cunningham A group photograph of a football team and coaching staff beside the pitch after a match. The players are wearing dark grey kits with and several have their arms raised in celebration. The photo is taken outdoors on a sunny day beside a covered stand. — Barton Town usually play their matches in the Northern Counties East Football League

The winner of the clash will need to win 10 further matches if they want to reach the final of the competition.

Hare obviously wants to see his side go to the next round but says the result will be good for football in the Humber region regardless.

"Whatever happens, it guarantees local representation in the next round. Obviously, one of us will win, one will lose but it's great for local football."

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