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FA Cup: Blyth Spartans aim for a repeat - last year they went all the way to round 3



Blyth Spartans enter the FA Cup this weekend at the First Qualifying Round - now all the Preliminary rounds are out of the way and will be looking to match last season's run to the third round, where they lost 3-2 to Championship side Birmingham. This after they lead 2-0 with the 4th round in sight!

The join another 392 hopefuls at this stage with winning sides collecting £3000 in prize-money.

That lucrative run earned the North East club about £100,000 profit, and they were rewarded with an appearance by the FA Cup trophy at their club on Thursday.

"It was fantastic for the supporters to have the trophy here, a few hundred came down to take pictures with it," manager Tom Wade told BBC Sport. "To get so far in the competition last year was like winning the World Cup.

"The prize money was invested in various projects such as installing a water irrigation system for the pitch because the water pressure at the club is very poor.

"The pitch was reseeded and there was a general tidying up of the ground. The clubhouse was done up with a new toilet block put in and a total redecoration of it with new tables and chairs. It all costs money and soon disappears."

Blyth face a tricky tie at north-east rivals Spennymoor Town on Saturday.

JB

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