Top Scorer Awards announced for 2021/22 FA Cup
The Football Association has today announced that top scorers in the 2021/22 Emirates FA Cup and Vitality Women’s FA Cup will receive bespoke awards for the first time.
The Emirates FA Cup Golden Ball, in partnership with Mitre, will coincide with the 150th anniversary of the competition and be awarded to the player that scores the most goals from its Extra Preliminary Round on Saturday 7 August 2021 through to the Final at Wembley Stadium connected by EE on Saturday 14 May 2022.
The Vitality Women’s FA Cup Golden Ball in partnership with Mitre will be presented to the highest scorer from its First Round Qualifying on Sunday 12 September 2021 up to and including the Final at the home of football on Sunday 15 May 2022.
Updates on the standings for both awards will be provided after each round of the Emirates FA Cup and Vitality Women’s FA Cup via their respective @EmiratesFACup and @VitalityWFACup channels and winners will be crowned following the Finals of each competition.
Andy Ambler, The FA’s Director of Pro Game Relations, said: “The magic of the Emirates FA Cup is that it gives teams at every level of the pyramid a chance of realising their dreams, walking out at Wembley Stadium and lifting the famous trophy. Whether the top scorer is playing in a Step 6 League of The FA National League System, or the Premier League, they deserve their moment in the spotlight and it’s fitting that we can introduce this award during the competition’s 150th anniversary season.”
“Kelly Simmons, The FA’s Director of Women’s Professional Game, added: “I’m delighted we can launch this award alongside that in the men’s competition and I can’t wait to see who wins the inaugural Golden Ball. The Vitality Women’s FA Cup is all about players from all levels having the opportunity to play in the best cup competition in the world, and this new award is an opportunity for someone to walk away with a coveted accolade – whatever level they play at.”
Simon Rowe, Mitre’s Head of Sports Marketing, said “At Mitre we are all about the magic of football, and those moments and feelings you get as you play. There’s nothing better than the feeling and accomplishment of scoring goals, and we feel all should be celebrated. The game is a sport for all and so we’re delighted that all players at all levels will be able to stand a chance of winning the Mitre Golden Ball award this season, in such an historic year for the competition. The competition is a chance to shine a light on football at all levels of the game and a celebration for those players who ensure the magic of the Emirates FA Cup and Vitality Women’s FA Cup endures generation after generation.”
Visit TheFA.com/Competitions for more details on the 2021/22 Emirates FA Cup and Vitality Women’s FA Cup.