8 divisions. That's the difference between Marine FC and Tottenham Hotspur before they play each other in the third round of the FA cup this weekend.
Marine play in the 8th division of English football, the Northern North-West league in non-league division one. The team is from Crosby, Merseyside, and Tottenham will be welcomed to the 3,000 Seater Marine Travel Arena on Sunday night. Where the away dressing room is too small to facilitate Tottenham's travelling players with social distancing. So Tottenham's players will have to change in the Arriva suite, normally used for weddings.
Even better for Marine, the tie is being broadcasted live on BBC one, given the 8th tier team an unprecedented audience. And, at a time when many non-league teams are struggling to find the money to play, a handsome sum to go with it.
Tottenham are one of the best teams in the Premier League, they have England captain: Harry Kane. Along with a world-class side. One of Marine's players is a binman when not playing football. This tie is one of the FA cup's greatest ever mismatches. And for most, the idea of Jose Mourinho standing in the Marine Travel Arena dugout is enough of a victory. But on the pitch: stranger things have happened.
