Valentine at final but in name only!

18 May 2018 By David Watters

Scarborough Athletic midfielder Nathan Valentine will have his name at the heart of Saturday's Emirates FA Cup Final after scoring a crucial winner for the EVO-STIK League's Seadogs this season in the world's oldest cup competition.

The former AFC Liverpool, Frickley Athletic, Harrogate Town, Radcliffe and Wakefield attacking midfielder, pictured, is one of 137 goalscorers who've been named by the Football Association on the Nike Ordem V matchball to mark the 137th running of the showpiece fixture between Chelsea and Manchester United.

The 'Ball For All' celebrates players from Step 6 of the National League System through to the Premier League who all share the accolade of scoring in the world’s oldest domestic cup. Like Valentine, they are the scorers of the season’s most memorable and impactful strikes from every round since the Extra Preliminary Round stage.

The 24-year-old told fans he is proud to be representing the EVO-STIK League North runners-up after bagging the only goal in the club's 1-0 win over EVO-STIK League Premier Division Workington in the Second Qualifying Round, describing his inclusion as "an unexpected surprise but fantastic to get the recognition from The FA and be a part of the 137 names chosen".

The Seadogs enjoyed their best run in the Emirates FA Cup this season after returning home from playing for ten years in exile, progressing through to the Fourth Qualifying Round before losing 2-0 to Hyde United in front of a crowd of over 2,000 fans at their new Flamingo Land Stadium.

Images courtesy of thefa.com & @safc/Twitter

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