Lucy Bronze: 'The FA Cup prize money disparity is outrageous – I’m glad it's changing'

In her exclusive column for GiveMeSport, England and Manchester City superstar Lucy Bronze discusses the magic of the FA Cup and why the prize money disparity needed to change.

I have very special memories of the FA Cup. Aside from winning it twice with Manchester City, I also played for Sunderland against Arsenal in the 2009 FA Cup Final.

Sunderland were giant killers that year. We were in the second tier of women’s football at the time, and we knocked out two teams in the league above us – Bristol City and Chelsea. It was brilliant.

The final against Arsenal was incredible. I was 17 years old at the time, and around 25,000 turned up to watch the match. It was the biggest crowd I’d ever played in front of. I still remember that moment and just being completely amazed by the amount of people there.

Unfortunately we lost the final, but it means I’ve had every experience in the FA Cup. Winning the final, losing the final, being a young player, an older player, a player nobody knows about, and a player who is well known – I’ve done it all!

We played our first game of this year’s FA Cup against Nottingham Forest, a side in the third tier of women’s football.

In terms of the calibre of opposition, it was the biggest game they’ve played so far this season. It was just as significant for us though – we never take anyone we play for granted.

I know that’s a bit of a cliché, but teams lower down the pyramid are determined to be giant killers. Just one goal could see them through into the next round.

Sometimes it’s a disadvantage to be drawn against a team you’re unfamiliar with, too. I know players from Arsenal or Chelsea like the back of my hand, whether from facing them in the league or on the international stage.

I know what