Cup final choice makes Blues proud

Leek Town have called being chosen to stage the final of this season's Integro League Cup a great accolade for the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's Blues and their volunteers.

After Harrison Park was unveiled on Friday as the venue for this season's showpiece final between Bamber Bridge and Grantham Town, the proud Blues tweeted: "Great accolade for our club and the tireless volunteer base who deliver the games #WEARELEEK".

The EVO-STIK NPL First Division South club's home, main picture, was chosen to host the 2017 final on Wednesday 19 April following the completion of the last four ties on Thursday night when Brig beat top flight Buxton on penalties after drawing 0-0 draw at The Sir Tom Finney Stadium.

The EVO-STIK NPL Premier Division's Gingerbreads booked their berth with a 2-1 semi-final win at The Meres on Tuesday night over Clitheroe, a Lee Shaw Brace proving enough to see off their own EVO-STIK NPL First Division North opponents.

Excited club officials were tweeting news of the venue on Friday while urging fans to pop into their club shop at the Meres on Saturday before they kick off against Rushall Olympic to make sure they are fully kitted out for their first EVO-STIK NPL League Cup final appearance since the 1970-71 season, tweeting : "Make sure you're all kitted out for the Integro League Cup Final by visiting Ian De'ath at the club shop tomorrow."

The finalists are now preparing to follow in the footsteps of holders Marine who lifted the trophy for a record fourth time last season at Farsley's Celtic's Throstle Nest after coming from behind to beat Scarborough Athletic 2-1.

Like the Mariners, the eventual winners of this season's competition will collect £2000 in prize money with the runners-up collecting £1000. This week's losing semi-finalists will both bank £500 while losing quarter-finalists were awarded £250.

The admission prices for this season's final were also confirmed by the EVO-STIK NPL on Friday as £8 for adults, £5 for concessions and £1 for children aged under 16.

This isn’t the first time Harrison Park has hosted a big game this season. After successfully staging a number of youth inter nationals last year, the home of the Blues was chosen in February to host an England U17 fixture against Spain.

Images courtesy of @leektown, @BamberBridgeFC & granthamtownfc.co.uk

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