If Flint Town United’s Jack Thorn requires any inspiration ahead of Sunday’s JD Welsh Cup Final against Caernarfon Town (KO 15:15), he need look no further than his father.
Andy Thorn won the English FA Cup with Wimbledon in 1988, as part of the club’s famous ‘Crazy Gang’ who caused one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s history by shocking heavy favourites Liverpool to win the trophy for the first time.
Jack, who was not born until 13 years later, smiles as that final is mentioned.
“I woke up on the day we were playing Bangor in the semi-final and my dad said ‘this is where I turn up now, I didn’t turn up anywhere else’!
“I’ve spoken to him a few times about it and he just said go and enjoy it because a cup final will be one of the best days of your career and you can’t beat them.”
JD Welsh Cup Final Tickets
Flint have enjoyed a memorable cup run of their own this season to reach the JD Welsh Cup Final for the first time since 1954, when the club lifted the trophy for the first and only time to date.
Following wins over Bow Street and Airbus UK Broughton, the Silkmen impressively defeated Penybont on penalties away from home. They then cruised past Trearddur Bay and Bangor City 1876 to reach Rodney Parade.
“It’s always something to look forward to, it splits the season up,” Thorn says of the cup. We won the first game and we thought ‘we could get far’ and it’s just gone on and on. I think we’ve only conceded one goal in the whole competition.
“The buzz really hit after we beat Bangor. And while that buzz was there, it was also like ‘let’s go and win it now’. Hopefully we can do that for the town.”
Caernarfon Town stand between Flint and glory, and it is the Cofis who have had the upper hand in recent meetings between the two sides. Flint have not won in their last six encounters, a run stretching back to 2022.
“It’s going to be a tough game,” Thorn says. We lost to them at home earlier in the season but then drew away. But it’ll be a good game I hope.”
Victory on Sunday would also see Flint qualify for European football for the first time in their history. Thorn has also never experienced continental competition in his career so far.
“We haven’t really spoken about it [the prospect of qualifying for Europe] because we haven’t done it yet. But if it did happen, it would be brilliant for myself and for everyone at the club. What it brings and how good it would be, would be brilliant.”
With big-hitters such as The New Saints and Connah’s Quay Nomads knocked out in this season’s early rounds, the opportunity has perhaps never been bigger for Flint or Caernarfon to get their hands on the JD Welsh Cup.
“I don’t think you could put it into words if we did win it, how good it would be for the town,” Thorn says.
“I think there’d be a week-long party, I’ll tell you that. I think that’s what would happen!”
