Photographer’s amazing 15 match, 2,750-mile journey to Wembley for FA Cup final, from non-league to Chelsea vs Liverpool

NINE months ago, photographer Duncan Elliott set off on a 15-match, 2,750-mile FA Cup journey.

The final destination? May’s Wembley final.

Elliott’s journey began at West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC where he spoke with manager Chris Rowley in the dressing roomCredit: Duncan Elliott

Neighbouring Avro won the tie 3-1 against West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC’s captain Sam Heathcote and his team-mates in front of just 355 peopleCredit: Duncan Elliott

Avro, captained by Kyle Jacob, play in the North West Counties Football League Premier LeagueCredit: Duncan Elliott

Charlie O’Brien, 17, is Avro’s Operations Director & Club SecretaryCredit: Duncan Elliott

Ground Hopper Elliott started his journey at Brookburn Road where West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC and neighbouring Avro contested an extra preliminary FA Cup round tie.

The official attendance for the match was a modest 355.

Avro won the tie 3-1 to progress to the next prelim but their cup run ended in the next game at the hands of Runcorn Linnets.

Elliott said: “For years I’d heard about Ground Hoppers trying to get to all of the League’s 92 grounds or doing something like My Road To Wembley and thought I’d like to try it one year.

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How Man Utd legends may line up against Liverpool with Neville to captain side

“Last season I followed the winning team through the cups and followed the results for something to do during all the lockdowns.

“This season I thought I’d give getting to all the games a go as a fan but it was too good an opportunity not to try and make it into a photography project.”

Elliott then followed Runcorn Linnets up until their 3-2 third round defeat to Gateshead.

Camera in tow, Elliott saw Gateshead defeat Marske United and then Altrincham, with both ties going to a replay.

Elliott with Calum McIntyre, Runcorn Linnets’ manager, inside the dressing roomCredit: Duncan Elliott

James Short plays at left-back for Runcorn Linnets and here he is wearing their gorgeous green kitCredit: Duncan Elliott

Eliott spoke with Gateshead kitman Dave Allen and got a snap of him in the standsCredit: Duncan Elliott

Gateshead player-manager Mike Williamson’s side lost to League One Charlton but turned in a gutsy performanceCredit: Duncan Elliott

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Gateshead were then handed a big draw against League One side Charlton, where their FA Cup journey ended with a 2-0 defeat.

Charlton were then knocked out by Premier League Norwich and so Elliott watched the Canaries for two more rounds.

Norwich managed to defeat Wolves, but then lost to eventual finalists Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp’s quadruple-chasing Reds defeating Championship high-flyers Nottingham forest in the quarters and then main rivals Manchester City in a 3-2 thriller in the semis at Wembley.

Charlton narrowly lost to Norwich 1-0 at The Valley with the home crowd hoping to watch a major upset against a side two divisions above themCredit: Duncan Elliott

Fans flocked to Charlton’s stadium to see them take on Prem opposition and the fans brought their A-gameCredit: Duncan Elliott

Norwich’s Dean Smith patrolling the touchline at Wolves after his side kept their FA Cup dreams aliveCredit: Duncan Elliott

Norwich defeated fellow Prem outfit Wolves but later lost to Liverpool, ending their run in the cup and turning their focus back to the league, where they were relegatedCredit: Duncan Elliott

And on May 14, Elliott will complete his FA Cup journey as Liverpool take on European champions Chelsea. The people Elliott met and the stories they had to tell is simply unforgettable.

On the power of football, Elliott said: “There’s so much passion there.

“People can really lose themselves in football, especially when they’re in a group surrounded by other like minded people. It’s tribal, that belonging, the unity of it, it’s really powerful.

“It’s a global language. You could be anywhere in the world, mention a club or a player to someone and you can usually strike up some form of conversation.

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“It can be played in the streets with something cobbled together for a ball to the World Cup Final in a stadium that costs millions, with billions of people watching on TV.

“There are so many stories to tell, finding those stories and photographing them is a fantastic challenge.”

*Follow The FA Cup Run on Instagram*

Liverpool beat Nottingham Forest in the quarters, who had a good run against Prem opposition in earlier roundsCredit: Duncan Elliott

Forest turned in a good performance and they’re in the running to get promoted back to the top flight for the first time in over two decadesCredit: Duncan Elliott

Liverpool defeated Man City in the semis to reach May’s final vs Chelsea and are in the hunt for a historic quadrupleCredit: Duncan Elliott

Elliott’s Road to Wembley ends on May 14 under the archCredit: Duncan Elliott

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk

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