FC Halifax Town: Scott wins race to be first McManus to play at Wembley

His sibling Abbie is also a footballer for Manchester City Ladies and was knocked out of the Women’s FA Cup semi-final by Chelsea for the second year running.

Had City got through, they would have played Arsenal Ladies on May 14 and Abbie would have won the race to play at Wembley first.

“They were winning 1-0 and Chelsea scored in the 85th minute and then they ended up losing in extra-time,” said Scott.

“I spoke to her and she was gutted.

“But she’s got next year. With what’s happening at Man City Ladies I think they’ll be there one day.”

McManus is hoping his sister will be among the crowd on Sunday though.

“My dad could have had his son and his daughter to watch at Wembley,” McManus said.

“I sent her a text saying I’m his favourite anyway so it didn’t matter!

“Most of my family will be there. My mum, dad, wife, children, maybe my brother and my nephew and hopefully my sister, then quite a few friends as well.

“She doesn’t know if she’s got the day off yet.

“I’ve got her some tickets just in case.

“I think she’s going to bring a few of her mates from the club. Hopefully she’ll come but she won’t know until the day before.”

Abbie is a centre-half or right-back and combines playing with her role as kit woman for the Man City Ladies’ academy.

McManus is proud of what she has achieved but insists he is the more talented sibling.

“I’d say I was better than her!” he said.

“When we were kids she used to come to my boys’ football team and she’d join in.

“She’s five years younger than me and she was better than all the lads on my team.

“From the minute she could walk we used to stick her in goal outside our house and now she’s made it to Man City Ladies and I’m really pleased for her.”

McManus says the siblings watch each other play as often as possible.

He added: “She comes quite a bit to Halifax, although not quite so much recently because of her job.

“I try to get to their games on Sundays.

“They’ve got a lot to thank the owner for who has come in and done what he’s done.

“I used to watch her playing for them when they played in front of 20 fans and now they get 2,000 and they’re playing at the academy stadium in Manchester, which is one of the best stadiums I’ve ever seen.”