Amateurs relive world cup victory

West Auckland FC are set to play Juventus in a anniversary match

An amateur County Durham football team is travelling to Italy to relive their victory in the first ever World Cup - 100 years ago.

In April 1909 a team of miners from West Auckland became the first to lift the World Cup in Turin - then known as the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy.

A celebration match against Juventus, has been arranged for August, to mark the centenary of the victory.

West Auckland beat Switzerland's FC Winterhour 2-0 in the first final.

Two years later in 1911 they successfully defended their title beating Juventus 6-1 in the final.

West Auckland are now raising cash so they can charter a plane and cover other transport costs.

Manager Stuart Alderson said: "I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but it will definitely be worth it."

West Auckland's Under-19 team are expected to play against Juventus Under-19's.

Mr Alderson added: "I might bring in some ringers, but it will be a good team don't doubt that.

The West Auckland players who won the 1909 World Cup

"The players will be shocked when they see it in the papers, nobody actually believed the match would go ahead."

He said the club was "hoping, but not expecting" to repeat their victory 100 years ago.

Sir Thomas Lipton was a millionaire who organised the first world cup after being awarded the Grand Order of the Crown of Italy.

The original invitation was offered to the English Football Association, who were asked to nominate a team, but they declined.

The competition involved teams from Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Great Britain.

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