Changing room chat: English minnows in Facebook first

Published on Wednesday 17 August 2011 17:01

NON-LEAGUE sides Ascot United and Wembley FC will hope to win some new friends as they kick off this season's FA Cup tomorrow night, with the game being streamed to a potential ("potential" being the key word here) audience of 700 million people.

Social networking site Facebook is "televising" the clash, which, although will probably not reach the majority of its potential viewers, is the first of its kind anywhere in sport. A 90-minute stream will be provided by beer firm Budweiser, the competition's new sponsors.

"As a long-standing supporter of football globally, Budweiser is committed to bringing the world's most prestigious knockout competition closer to the fans," said marketing director Ian Newell. "What better way to demonstrate this than by broadcasting the very first kick to a global audience via Facebook? This is the first time an FA Cup tournament fixture has been broadcast live on the social network, which is great news for football fans and clubs alike."

Ascot, of the Hellenic League, take on Combined Counties side Wembley at their Racecourse Ground in one of 204 extra preliminary-round fixtures.