Marine chairman insists 'no discussions' have taken place over hosting dream FA Cup date with Tottenham at Anfield as eighth tier side remain 'confident' Rossett Park will be Covid-19 secure

  • Marine FC were drawn to play Premier League leaders Tottenham in the FA Cup
  • The game is due to take place at Rossett Park - which can hold up to 3,185 fans
  • It was said that the game would move to Liverpool's ground for social distancing 
  • But, Marine chairman Paul Leary says they have not discussed playing at Anfield
  • Leary is 'confident' the game will take place at Rossett Park with a 'full house'

Marine chairman Paul Leary has said no discussions have taken place over moving their FA Cup third-round clash with Tottenham to Liverpool's Anfield stadium.

It had been suggested that Marine would be forced to play their dream FA Cup third round tie with Tottenham at Liverpool's ground if they are unable to make their stadium Covid-19 secure.

However, Leary has insisted that the club will be ready to host the Premier League leaders at Rossett Park and that they will look to 'welcome a full house' to the historic game.

Marine chairman Paul Leary is confident Rossett Park will be Covid-19 secure for the FA Cup

Marine chairman Paul Leary is confident Rossett Park will be Covid-19 secure for the FA Cup

Marine FC were drawn to play Premier League leaders Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup

Marine FC were drawn to play Premier League leaders Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup 

According to the Liverpool Echo, Leary said: 'We have seen some reports which were incorrect.


'We've not been in discussions to play at Anfield and all of the parties that have been involved in discussions have been focused on making sure we make the ground COVID secure.

'I read something that said we were unable to do this which isn't true. We remain positive that the game will be held here at Marine and that is what we are working towards.

It had been said that the game would be played in a bigger stadium due to social distancing

It had been said that the game would be played in a bigger stadium due to social distancing 

Jose Mourinho hopes the game will go ahead at Rossett Park as it would mean a lot to the fans

Jose Mourinho hopes the game will go ahead at Rossett Park as it would mean a lot to the fans

'We wish we were able to welcome a full house for what will be an historic occasion for this football club, but we are doing everything we can to allow some fans back into the ground to see the game and we'll be ensuring that we are in full compliance with all the relevant guidelines.' 

Rossett Park can normally host up to 3,185 fans and is one of the most famous grounds in non-League football.   

Jose Mourinho has said he hopes Marine can get their stadium Covid-secure in time for their historic FA Cup tie as it would 'mean a lot to the home fans'.  

Mourinho has also promised to play his best side against the Northern Premier League Division One North West side - who are 168 league places below Tottenham. 

He said: 'I am excited. I learned to love the FA Cup, even as a kid. When I came to England I learned a lot about it too. I experienced great things in that competition. I think it's a beautiful thing for everyone.

'I look forward to it, honestly. I look forward to it. I hope there are good conditions in the stadium in terms of safety and all these things relating to protocols.

'I'd love to play in that small stadium. That, for sure, means a lot for the home fans and for the players, the coach, everybody. 

'The best way to respect them is to take the team, the players that they want to play against and we're going to respect them and respect the competition.'