Everton have stepped in to ensure Boreham Wood’s dream FA Cup fifth round tie at Goodson Park will be even more memorable.
The Premier League club have funded the one-off Puma kit, all black with flashes of green and yellow, with embroidery on the chest to mark the occasion, to be worn by Luke Garrard’s team on Thursday.
Black kits cannot be worn in the National League competition because the officials still wear black.
Everton have funded a one-off Puma kit for Boreham Wood with embroidery on the chest to mark the occasion
Black kits cannot be worn in the National League competition because the officials still wear black
Wood will have to change from their all-white home colours because of a clash with the Toffees shorts and socks
Boreham Wood will have to change from their all-white home colours because of a clash with Everton’s shorts and socks.
The Premier League have also made a contribution towards the travel costs of their opponents and a night in a hotel in Liverpool.
‘Credit to Everton,’ said Garrard. ‘They’ve purchased our kit and put on our travel and overnight stay on the day of the game. They’ve been absolutely class.’
Boreham Wood boss Garrard (pictured) insists Everton have been ‘class’ as they’ve paid for the kit, travel and an overnight stay
Boreham Wood have sold 1,800 tickets for the tie, meaning there will be approximately 400 more supporters in the Wood Army than there were in the fourth round, when they won 1-0 at Bournemouth of the Championship.
The squad were set to leave their Hertfordshire base at 10am on Thursday morning, picking up their northern-based players on the way to Liverpool.
They will check in at the hotel for pre-match meals and team briefings before taking a stroll in Liverpool.
Garrard wants to arrive at Goodison Park for 6.45pm, 90 minutes before kick-off. The game will be live on ITV.
Garrard has never been to Goodison Park (pictured), but he knows what a historic stadium it is
‘I’ve never been to Goodison in any capacity,’ said the 36-year-old Londoner, who spent Tuesday evening on a scouting mission at Dagenham.
‘They’re moving in two years and a lot of my Arsenal friends have told me what a historic stadium it is, and their fan-base is incredible.
‘Evertonians are so passionate and it’s going to be a massive part of the excitement on the evening.
The Wood boss expects a good atmosphere as Evertonians (pictured) are very passionate
‘It’s amazing to think we’re going to Goodison to pit our wits against Frank Lampard. It’s something you can only dream.
‘I think it will only sink in on the day. I don’t think we’ll respect what we’ve done until the season finishes.
‘We need to take stock of what we’ve done. We’re in the last 16. I hate the words fifth round. I prefer to think we’re in the last 16 of a national cup competition.’
Boreham Wood are 78 places below Everton in the English football pyramid. Post-war, the only non-league side to reach a quarter final are Lincoln City in 2017.