‘FA Cup’ finds new home in Burnley

But now a family-run firm of insurance brokers and financial advisers in the proud footballing town can claim its own ‘FA Cup’ glory. This time though, the FA stands not for ‘Football Association’, but for ‘Financial Affairs’.

Based in Standish Street, the company is run by the O’Connor family, all keen football fans and Clarets supporters. That support for the beautiful game even extends to fielding the firm’s own team, Financial Affairs FC, in the XLCR Pendle Charity League.

With backing from Financial Affairs MD Laurence O’Connor – himself a decent player in his day – the squad has notched up a few successes in the Sunday league over the past few years, including winning the League Trophy and Cup and the Manager of the Year Award.

Now, under the leadership of fellow Burnley businessman Martyn Lockyer, of Car-toon garage in Briercliffe Road, the team has added more silverware to its tally. This time it is the league’s Fair Play Award, and since the impressive trophy now belongs to Financial Affairs, why not the ‘FA Cup’?

Laurence O’Connor explained: “We were delighted to win the Fair Play Award. It comes from a conscious effort to improve team discipline and respect for the ref, which we want to see spread right through the league and the game.

“Calling it the ‘FA Cup’ is just a laugh, but it’s still an important trophy for us and one we’re proud to have won.”