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Neil Harris: Let Staines host tie
David Yuill12 Nov 2009
Neil Harris wants the spirit of the FA Cup kept alive by allowing non-league Staines Town to host their FA Cup second round tie against Millwall at their Wheatsheaf Park ground.
The Lions' all-time leading goalscorer helped Millwall through with his opener in the 4-1 win over AFC Wimbledon on Monday night while Blue Square South Staines won at Shrewsbury.
Talks are due tomorrow between the clubs and the Surrey and Metropolitan Police forces when it is likely that the tie will be switched to a bigger ground.
A record attendance of 2,800 people watched Staines knock out Stockport in the 2007 FA Cup and Millwall believe they could take that number of fans alone to Staines.
Brentford's Griffin Park has been suggested as the most likely venue, but Harris called for the magic of the Cup to be preserved.
He said: "I believe that if you are drawn at home, you play at home. That for me is the FA Cup, and the beauty of it. I think from atmosphere-wise, nostalgia-wise I think they game has got to be played at their place.
"I understand policing and money dictates the game quite a lot. I think from our point of view, as players, we would rather a neutral venue or at our place."
Whatever the venue, the game will be played on the weekend of 28 and 29 November.
Reader views (3)
Just make sure you stay in the stands when you beat them Dave.
- Stu, Beckton, 13/11/2009 12:39
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I know Staines as a club are pulling out all the stops to have this played at our place and the fans want it too.
Aside from the capacity issues if we go to Brentford we also face the real chance of losing money just as Havent & Waterlooville did when they had to move their tie a while back. They lost £10,000 and faced a real danger of going in to administration through no fault of their own.
- Dave, Staines, England, 12/11/2009 15:24
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No doubt Ali G and the Staines massive will be attending!!
- Paxton, N17, 12/11/2009 15:00
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