Despite growing up playing endless hours of football together, Saturday will be the first time brothers Kieran and Luke Thomas face each other in a competitive match when their teams Bristol Rovers and Weston-super-Mare meet in the first round of the Cup FA.

Luke, 25, plays as a winger for League One side Rovers, while his older brother Kieran, 29, is a right-back for non-league Weston, who play in the National League South.

The Thomas family of the Forest of Dean will find their loyalties divided whatever the outcome.

“A very excited and very proud day for the family. Mum and dad will be there but they’re not quite sure who they’ll be supporting,” Luke Thomas told BBC Points West.

“I think it might be the first time they’ve celebrated goals from both teams.”

Kieran said: “I don’t think we’ll get a better draw in the first round, that’s what dreams are made of. We’d like to be on the same team but playing against each other is just as good.” “.

For Kieran, who has never played in the FA Cup before and works as a carpenter, hearing Weston from the sixth division approach his brother’s team was “emotional”.

“I was listening to it in my truck,” he said. “I was outside trying to get some things for work and when they arrived my heart was pounding.

“I really wanted Rovers and when I got it I was speechless. It was a bit emotional, one of them really, it was really nice.”

Luke said: “He called me, I totally forgot. I was so happy when he said we were playing with each other. I’m really looking forward to it, I can’t wait.”