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Friday, January 2, 1998 Published at 12:21 GMT



Sport: Football

Emley dream of Wembley
image: [ Emley: preparing for the biggest match in their 95-year history ]
Emley: preparing for the biggest match in their 95-year history

The glamour of the FA Cup brings little non-league Emley face to face with Premiership giants West Ham United.

Emley, 11th in the Unibond League, earned the money-spinning tie after beating Lincoln City in the second round.


[ image: Steve Nicholson: firefighter by day ...]
Steve Nicholson: firefighter by day ...
The Pennine village team, which includes firemen, pipe fitters and a postman have an average 300 fans at their Welfare Ground.

On Saturday the village will be virtually deserted as 2,000 supporters travel south to West Ham's Upton Park.

Club director Peter Jackson said: "They are a Premiership team and have everything laid on for them.

"We don't have anyone to clean the players' boots and sometimes have trouble in getting enough shirts on the park."


[ image: ... footballer by night.]
... footballer by night.
Before the cup run Emley, near Huddersfield, was most famous for its 1,000ft television mast which dominates the Yorkshire village.

The players, out to enjoy their moment of glory, are also determined not to be humiliated by their millionaire opponents.

Fire fighter Steve Nicholson said: "It's not going to be easy, it's Premiership opposition.


Emley Secretary Richard Poyne - a Hammers fan since boyhood (2' 51")
"But we'll give it our best shot and we will not roll over for them."

Whatever the result Emley, 10,000-1 outsiders for the cup, will be in for a big pay day. The club expects to pick up £100,000 from the game.

West Yorkshire Police expect Emley to be a ghost town on Saturday and are laying on extra patrols to deter opportunist burglars.

A police spokesman said: "The houses are going to be empty and we don't want people coming back to bad news."


 





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