A Barrow primary school will be cheering on one of its teachers today – as he laces his boots to play against Derby County in the third round of the FA Cup.
Elliot Newby, who works as a PE coach three days a week at Newbarns Primary and Nursery School, will be facing Wayne Rooney’s club when The Rams visit National League North side Chorley FC on Saturday.
Ahead of the lunchtime kick-off, Elliot said that the school will be right behind him as he faces the Championship club.
Newby said: “It’s been really good, the teachers and kids have been absolutely buzzing and asking me all about the game.”
Elliot scored Chorley’s first goal as Jamie Vermiglio’s side fought back from 2-0 down to beat their local rivals Wigan Athletic 3-2 in the first round proper of the competition.
In the second round, Newby and Chorley defeated another League One club, Peterborough United, winning 2-1 at London Road.
Reflecting on Chorley’s cup run, Elliot said: “After playing three qualifying rounds, it was a great achievement to get to the first round.
“Getting that goal against Wigan was really special.
“The way we won that game, against previous winners of the FA Cup, has really given us belief.”
Although they will be facing Derby County, a Covid-19 outbreak at their Moor Ram training ground has meant that no first-team staff or players, including interim manager Rooney, will be at today’s game.
Instead, it is expected that Derby’s academy director Darren Wassall will take charge of the side, which will feature under-23 and under-18 players.
Newby added: “There are obviously two sides to it; when you get to this stage of the competition, you want to play against the top teams and players.
“But if you look at it with a different perspective, if Derby are not at full strength, it might give us a better opportunity to progress.
“Whatever team they bring, they will still be good, even if it is young players.”
A Manchester United fan, Elliot is dreaming of an away trip to Old Trafford in the fourth round if his Chorley side do prevail from today’s game.
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