The FA Crust...Pie replica salutes Wigan's Wembley cakewalk

For the first time in their history Wigan Athletic are in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley today….and to celebrate one cup sponsor baked a cake.

But it’s not just any old cake for bookmaker William Hill the FA Cup’s official betting partner commissioned a replica of the famous trophy to look like a pie.

Historically Wigan in Lancashire is noted for being home to more pie shops and chippies per head of population than anywhere else in the UK and Wigan fans are famous for being pie-eaters.

But no ex-Wigan player is more famous for eating pies than former Latics striker Micky Quinn, who even titled his autobiography ‘Who Ate All The Pies?’ after terrace chants during his Premiership days.

And William Hill delivered their dead ringer FA Cup pie cake along with the real priceless and pastry free version of the trophy to racehorse trainer Micky’s Newmarket stables to get his verdict on the FA Cup semis and….err pies.

Laughing Micky, 50, who made his league debut for Wigan in 1979, said: “That looks brilliant. I was on Channel 4’s Come Dine With Me last week for their Grand National special and I came second – I wish I’d had this cake to serve after dinner.

“It’s a fantastic job and looks very tasty. I might just have a nibble.”

Without further ado the former striker, who scored 19 goals for Wigan and helped them reach promotion to the 3rd Division before leaving in 1981, took a chomp out of the FA Cup pie replica’s lid.

And Mick, now host of Talksport’s Weekend Sports Breakfast show between 8am and noon today and tomorrow (Sunday), made a stunning revelation, well it will be stunning to those fans who chanted ‘Who ate all the pies’ at him.

Liverpool-born Mick, who has 11 thoroughbreds in his flat racing stables on the fringe of the famous Newmarket raccourse, said: “Contrary to popular belief I only ate pies after the match.

“And the best pies I have ever eaten where after the games when I played for Wigan.

“I left Derby after a few months as I hated it because I was homesick.

“I went to Wigan and I was up and down the East Lancs Road all the time – it was home from home.”

Gazing fondly at one of the four dozen Hollands pies delivered along with the replica FA Cup pie cake Mick said: “If you put a skewer through four of them you’ve got a Wigan kebab.

“I loved the place and after matches my dad and about 15 of our mates would always stop off at a Wigan chippy for a pie and chips.

“They were simply the best and my favourite pie to this day is the Wigan pie. I don’t recall the name, but I do remember that it had a thick crust and steak in it.”

In his hilarious autobiography Micky, who was brought up on a Liverpool council estate called Cantril Farm that was dubbed ‘Little Beirut’, told of his love for birds, betting and booze.

Though today he only has eyes for wife Karen, 40, and their daughter Mia, but both of them are also big on the FA Cup pie cake as Mick said: ‘It tastes delicious and Mia is through to the semi-finals herself now – she’s devoured about three layers of it.”

On the footballing front Mick imagines Wigan can get through to the FA Cup Final and said: “I fancy them to win 2-0 with Kone scoring. I’ve watched Millwall and they have done really well to get to this stage.

“I was there when they beat Villa. But I know Wigan can beat anyone on their day and are capable of winning the cup.

“The other semi on Sunday is harder to call and Rafa has done a great job despite all the negativity. He has been a pro and got on with the job and got results.

“City are desperate to win the FA Cup since United pulled away from them in the league.

“When you get to the last eight and the semis the FA Cup is a great competition and everyone still wants to win it.

“I strove all my career to win a trophy like that and now that I’ve hung up my boots I’ve been given my very own FA Cup pie cake – it’s amazing.”

William Hill odds on the semi-finals are: Wigan 8/11, 23/10 draw, 16/5 Millwall

Manchester City 13/10, 11/5 draw, Chelsea 17/10

And here are the ingredients for both the FA Cup Pie Cake and Mick’s favourite Wigan pie.

The stunning Cakes by Jane, of Hazel Grove creation used:

1kg Flour

1kg Stork

1kg Eggs

1.1kg Caster Sugar

1kg Buttercream