Sphinx Set For Forest Youth Cup Tie

Coventry Sphinx Youth team will be prepared and champing at the bit to take on their more illustrious opponents Nottingham Forest in next Wednesday's FA Youth Cup First Round Proper, that's according to manager John Woodward.

Woodward has seen his young group of players remain unbeaten in all competitions so far this season, a run which has taken them into the spotlight in this seasons FA Youth Cup sponsored by E.ON and reaching the first round proper for the first time in the clubs history “The lads have been great and the performances have been outstanding at times. The exposure that this cup run has had is great. The club is in the spotlight and long may it continue. The lads deserve the accolades they have had so far but next weeks game is a chance to really make headlines”

Woodward is confident that his players will be prepared correctly, “To be playing Nottingham Forest is a fabulous occasion for the whole club and for those players taking part it will be a memory they'll keep for ever. But what we must do is prepare as we do for any other game. Obviously there will be a large crowd and distractions but we must remain focussed and ensure we match Forest in every department. No one is expecting Sphinx to beat Nottingham Forest but as we've seen in the FA Cup down the years, everyone loves an underdog”

Preparations are well under way and with help from Coventry City FC and West Midlands Police the anticipated crowd will be well accommodated.

Cassidy Group are sponsoring the match and Sphinx Chief Executive Dannie Cahill is delighted with the levels of support the club has received. “We are a Coventry football club with Coventry born players and the support received by local businesses has been tremendous, especially that of James and Patric Cassidy of Cassidy Group. To say how proud we are of our current crop of youth players is an understatement. John Woodward and his players have achieved something very special and it is a testament to their hard work and commitment that they can experience such a momentous occasion. They have been first class ambassadors of our club to date and whatever the final result on Wednesday I know that they will have done themselves, their parents and the club proud. Many of our guests, I'm sure, will get a true picture of what we have achieved to date and what we want to achieve in the future. We are in the shop window where potential sponsors may well be interested in putting in some well needed financial support into this great club of ours”

To illustrate the gulf in levels between the two teams Forest play in the FA Premier Academy league alongside Arsenal, Newcastle and Manchester United. A fact that hasn't gone unnoticed by Woodward, “Forest played Middlesbrough a fortnight ago and won 5-0 but last week they travelled to Arsenal and lost 4-3 so they are beatable!!!”

Sphinx officials are reminding all spectators to arrive early to avoid congestion around the ground and off street parking will be the best option as the car park is expected to fill very early.

Admission is £3 adults and £1 concessions

A special edition 20 page Match day Programme has been produced to mark the occasion with FA Chief Executive Brian Barwick and FA Director of Football Development Sir Trevor Brooking amongst the contributors. This will be on sale priced at £1

FA Youth Cup sponsored by E.ON

First Round Proper

Wednesday 8^th November 2006 Kick Off 7.45pm

Sphinx Drive, Coventry CV3 1WA

For further information on this news release please call Neil Long 07973 371942 or Dannie Cahill 024 7657 5301