BIGGLESWADE FC | PURE DEVOTION

This is what the Emirates FA Cup means to Amir Hadi

It was a memorable afternoon for Biggleswade FC as their 2-1 victory over AFC Dunstable on Sunday saw them progress into the Emirates FA Cup third round qualifying for the first time.

One of the great sub-plots to this story is that striker, Amir Hadi, came back from a holiday in Morocco to play in the game before returning the following day.

“A good mate of mine is getting married in Morocco on Wednesday,” he explained to us. “So, a group of us decided to make a holiday out of it.

“When we booked the trip, I knew that this weekend was designated for the FA Cup, but at the time I didn’t know if we would still be involved in the competition.

“As soon as we made it through after winning at Basildon United in the previous round, I booked a flight back home so I could play in the game and then a return flight back to re-join the wedding party on the Monday.

“Money comes and goes but memories last forever and it was important to me to be available for this game.

“Having the chance to create history for my club and play in the FA Cup, such a prestigious competition that I always watched as a child, I wouldn’t miss that opportunity at all costs.

“To be able to contribute to the victory with an assist and then seeing the smile on the Gaffer’s face and the joy amongst the fans at the end, knowing I played a part in that, is, to me, what football is all about. The magic of the FA Cup right there!

“As a team it’s been a bit of a slow start to the season in the League with a win, draw and defeat from our opening three Division One Central games. We’ve had a few injuries to contend with, but there is so much togetherness and fighting spirit within the group, and that has come to the fore in our FA Cup performances so far.

“The team is only going to get better week by week. This is a strong League, there have been times when we have dominated the ball but still ended up losing. It just shows how strong the competition is, with so many teams in contention for promotion and play-off places.

“Our aim is to be one of those teams that is right up there challenging and push on as far as we can in the various cup competitions. This run in the FA Cup has certainly given us extra confidence and belief.

“From a personal point of view, I’m trying to improve my all-round game as much as I can; it’s important to acknowledge the weaker side of your game and work extra hard to improve it. I am willing to knuckle down and work hard with the coaching staff here to take my own game to the next level and, at the same time, also help the team progress.”

Hadi and his team-mates return to Pitching In Southern League Division One Central action at the weekend with a trip to Kidlington.

IMAGE: Jeremy Reynolds

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