Stock image of the outside of Hyde United's Ewen Fields ground in the Emirates FA Cup for the 2017/18 season.

2018 Frank Hannah Manchester Premier Cup Final

Statement on the decision for the fixture between FC United of Manchester & Trafford FC.

Firstly, we'd like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding whilst we look to arrange both a date and venue for this year's Frank Hannah Manchester FA Premier Cup Final.

In previous years we have been committed to securing a local Football League ground to host our showpiece final. However, this has proved extremely difficult to achieve, noting that those potential clubs willing to host have either a backlog of fixtures or ground commitments with their squads. The only club that were able to accommodate the final were Oldham Athletic and Manchester FA had agreed in principal to host the final on Tuesday 1 May 2018. With Trafford FC’s likely participation in this seasons Northern Premier League  play-offs, the Oldham Athletic option became no longer viable. To reiterate everyone connected with Manchester FA have looked at every possible option to host at a local Football League Club.

Whilst we fully appreciated the offer of both finalists to host this year, the Manchester FA Competitions Working Group considered the position in relation to offering one of the finalists a potential unfair home advantage and therefore decided this option was also unsuitable. Therefore, we contacted all of our local non-league teams to inquire of their availability to host. Response and availability was limited and the only club able to host on a date mutually convenient for both finalists was Hyde United.

The Manchester FA Competitions Working Group also investigated the option of deferring the final to the beginning of the 2018/19 season. This option was immediately dismissed, taking into account that the playing squads will probably change during the close season and therefore the current players have to be given the opportunity to compete for the Frank Hannah Manchester Premier Cup.

The decision of Manchester FA therefore is to host the 2018 Frank Hannah Premier Cup Final at Hyde United’s Ewen Fields on Tuesday 24 April 2018 with a 7:45pm kick-off. We'd like to take this opportunity now to thank everyone at Hyde United for their continued support in hosting a large number of our County Cup Finals over the years, which included this competition back in 2016.

Tickets will be provided to both clubs ahead of their home fixtures on Saturday 14 April 2018. Tickets will be priced at £8 Adults, £4 Concessions and £2 Under 16's. 

On behalf of all at Manchester FA, thank you again for your patience and we look forward to welcoming you to our prestigious County Cup Final at the end of this month.

Related News

View All