'Amazing' if family-run Hallen reach FA Vase final

Ninth-tier Hallen AFC would achieve something "amazing" if they reach the FA Vase final, says their chairman Lee Fairman. Hallen, a village of just 500 people on the outskirts of Bristol, play in the Hellenic League Premier Division and take on AFC Stoneham on Saturday in the final four of the cup, with a final at Wembley Stadium on the line for the winner. "We are punching above our weight," Fairman told BBC Points West.

"We always have done for the size of our club compared to some of the more stronger financial clubs but we'll give it a good go again. "If we can do it it would be amazing, I know everybody says, 'well if you don't it's still an amazing achievement,' but when you get this close you do want to do it. " The Fairman family have always been associated with the Hallen AFC.

Frank Fairman founded the club in 1949, his son Francis played and managed the club, while grandson Lee also played before becoming chairman. His son Harrison is the fourth generation there and part of the current squad. "It's been a massive part of my life, it 's always been there, it's never been anything else," Lee Fairman said.

"[I was] brought up and born into it and I'm still here now. It means everything. " In the league Hallen are bottom of the table and fighting for survival but in the cup they beat more favoured West Didsbury 6-5 on penalties in February to reach this stage of the FA Vase, after the match ended 1-1.