Newton Aycliffe WMC are one step away from completing their ‘Revolution’ with an historic cup final tomorrow night.
The Big Club side, jointly managed by Blackburn Rovers star Jason Steele and Dave Owen, take on Stockton Hardwick Social in the Sunday County Cup final at the Eppleton Colliery Welfare ground in Hetton on Thursday evening (kick-off 7pm).
It’s the first time an Aycliffe team has reached the FA Cup final of North East Sunday morning football for three decades after their dramatic semi-final win over South Shields Rose and Crown in February.
Star player Lewis Wing will miss the final through suspension, but ex-Boro ‘keeper Steele says his players are still relishing the big stage.
“Obviously we’re very excited going into the game – it’s a huge occasion for the club,” said Steele, who will be in the Hetton dugout for the game.
“We’re under no illusions of how hard the task will be, though, especially with our best player, Lewis Wing, missing out through suspension.
“Hardwick have also reached two of the last three finals, so I think we’re going into the game as the underdogs.
“But we deserve a pop at it and we’ll give it our best shot.”
The Big Club side finished runners-up to high-flyers Hetton in the Durham and District League Premier Division this season, as well as reaching the League Cup final.
“Not bad for a group of mates!” added Steele.
“It’s been a fantastic season whatever the result on Thursday night but, of course, a win would be brilliant.
“It’s been something like 30 years since the old Big Club side reached the County Cup final and it would be special for the lads to take their place in the club’s Hall of Fame.”
• The Big Club’s County Cup final is at Eppleton Colliery Welfare in Hetton on Thursday night, kick-off 7pm. Postcode is DH5 9NE.