FA Cup on display during club's 150th anniversary

Mark's daughter Ruby plays for the girls' team at Harwich and Parkeston FC

The FA Cup has been displayed at a non-league football club as part of its 150th anniversary celebrations.

Essex side Harwich and Parkeston FC are returning to the competition for the first time since 2019, facing AFC Dunstable in the extra preliminary round on Saturday.

Club chairman Tony Armstrong said the display of the trophy was instrumental in showing how far the club had come since nearly going out of existence 23 years ago.

"It's the hard work from volunteers that has resurrected the club," he said.

Tony Armstrong (right) made almost 300 appearances for the club and played in the first round of the FA Cup in 1976

The club opened its doors to its youth teams and the public to come to see the iconic trophy.

Club president Terry Francis said: "It's an honour for the club and inspiring for young people and non-league supporters."

Supporter Mark, 38, who has been taking his daughter Ruby, 11, to matches since she was born, said it was surreal to see the trophy, especially at his home club.

First team manager Matt Carmichael said: "A successful [cup] run would mean a lot to the club financially."

He said the club was on a good trajectory, following their promotion to Premier Division of the Essex Senior League, and the "sky is the limit."