WINSFORD United and 1874 Northwich strikers will be kicked all over Wembley during the FA Cup Final today – that is, their names will!

For the names of Jordan Johnson (Winsford) and Sam Hind (1874) will be among those of 137 players featuring on the match ball when Chelsea and Manchester United go head-to-head at the national stadium from 5.15pm.

The ‘Ball For All’, a Nike Ordem V, celebrates players from Step 6 of the National League system through to the Premier League, who all share the accolade of being a goal scorer in the world’s oldest domestic cup competition.

Johnson’s 52nd-minute effort for Blues in a 3-2 defeat at Maine Road in the Extra Preliminary Round on August 5 nails Winsford’s position on the ball.

It will be the 137th edition of the showpiece fixture, and in a further honour to 1874 the club’s name will appear among the other 736 teams to have played in this season’s competition when Wembley Stadium lights up its iconic arch and outer screen.

Hind’s and 1874’s ‘appearances’ at Wembley are a fitting conclusion to what was a memorable and historic FA Cup campaign for the club.

Not only did they reach the first qualifying round for the first time in their short history, they secured four wins before bowing out on penalties in a third qualifying round replay at Ossett Town on October 3, 2017.

Hind’s contribution in the run was significant from the start.

His 57th-minute goal against West Didsbury & Chorlton in the preliminary round on August 19 was the spark to a revival at a point when the visitors looked destined to progress.

It is that goal, one of more than 3,000 scored by the 737 teams that started out in this season’s competition, which has been chosen by the FA to be represented by name on Saturday’s cup final ball.

The pair will be in good company as a selection of players’ names will feature for having scored some of the most memorable and impactful strikes, including:

- Liam Pullen of Chipping Sodbury Town, whose strike in the Extra-Preliminary Round was the club’s first ever goal in the competition

- Noah Keats, whose goal in the Fourth Round Qualifying saw Truro City become the first Cornish side to reach the First Round Proper since 1969

- League One Wigan Athletic’s Will Grigg, whose strike against Manchester City sealed a famous Fifth Round victory

- Alexis Sánchez and Willian, who both scored decisive goals for this season’s finalists

Andy Ambler, The FA’s director of professional game relations, said: “One of the most special things about The Emirates FA Cup is that a goalscorer in the Extra-Preliminary Round shares the same accolade as some of football’s most famous names.

“The 137 from across the country are representative of all who have contributed to this season’s competition.”

Pullen will also have the accolade of presenting the match ball ahead of kick-off on Saturday.

He said: “To have played and scored in my club’s first ever Emirates FA Cup match back in August was a dream come true and was one of the highlights of my career to date.

“It’s an honour for my name to feature on the Ball For All and to be asked to carry it out at Wembley Stadium ahead of the Final is going to be extra special.

“I’m really looking forward to the experience and will be very proud to be representing all of the players who have scored in this season’s competition.”

At the close of the season, The FA will have distributed a total of £14.6 million in competition prize money to the 737 competing teams.