CRYSTAL PALACE and Chelsea will use special bespoke Mitre footballs in their respective FA Cup campaigns this season.
Palace beat Manchester City last year to win the cup last May, while Chelsea triumphed in the Women’s FA Cup final against the previous year’s winners Manchester United.
To commemorate both side’s successes, Mitre have unveiled a special new ball.
The Ultimax, used for all FA Cup matches, has been decked out in gold trim.
Both Crystal Palace and Chelsea Women will use the gold-trimmed ball for all of their FA Cup matches this season.
The golden Winners’ Ball features a six-panel design and takes inspiration from Mitre’s classic Ultimax ball of the 1990s.
Palace will kick off their FA Cup defence with the golden ball at Macclesfield in the third round this afternoon.
While Chelsea begin their Women’s FA Cup campaign against Crystal Palace next Saturday at Kingsmeadow.
Fans can purchase the special edition ball online.
The Pro version costs a hefty £130, although a training edition is also available at £18.
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Ahead of this afternoon’s Macclesfield clash, Palace keeper Dean Henderson relived last May’s incredible triumph.
The England international told Palace’s website: “I can’t even put my finger on what it actually was in that moment… pure emotion.
“Obviously, you go through the game and you feel so in control cause it’s just a game of football, and you’ve got to play it like that, ultimately… but the feeling to see the reaction in front of my goal, and everyone going up…
“When I was stepping up to take the goal kick [in injury time], I knew we’d got this! ‘If I kick this far, if I get it off the floor, we’ve won. We’ve won.
“And just to hear that atmosphere at that moment… everyone was singing louder than ever.
“I don’t think anyone will ever hear Wembley like that. It genuinely shook. It was insane.
“Obviously, the players are so thankful for all that support, because we needed them that day. Obviously, City were a phenomenal team, but it was all about Crystal Palace – and it was always going to be Crystal Palace’s day.”
