A NEW BATTLE FOR SUPREMACY LEVELLING THE VASE SCORE
FOR many years the Northern League dominated the FA Vase – but times are changing.
Such was their stranglehold between 2009 and 2017 that only once did the Vase trophy leave the north-east, with Whitley Bay, Dunston, Spennymoor, North Shields, Morpeth and South Shields all triumphant at Wembley.
However, with three semi-finalists in the last two seasons coming from the Southern Counties East League, we are seeing a new force emerging at Step 5.
Corinthian’s first appearance in the last four this season follows Cray Valley PM’s run to the final last year – the Millers having beaten league rivals Canterbury over two legs to get there.
Known as the Kent League until 2013, the SCEFL may not be a traditional powerhouse but they’re now making the Non-League public sit up and take notice.
“To have three semi-finalists in two years is awesome,” said league chair Denise Richmond. “It shows how strong we are as a league.
“When I think of past years, the Northern League were always stronger because
attractingWE’RE they have less Step 4 and Step 3 clubs in their area so players don’t want to travel, whereas the fact there are so many Steps 4, 3, 2 and 1 clubs in our area shows we are a level of football strong players want to play at and teams are good at them.
“Teams in our league are better organised now and they take these competitions more seriously than they did in the past. Seeing Tunbridge Wells get to the final in 2013, it feels achievable.”
New brand
Martin Larkin’s side were certainly trailblazers in that regard. With a long-term aim of growing their fanbase and laying the foundations for a future promotion push, Wells targeted the Vase and reached the last 64 in 2011, going one better the following year.
Few expected them to continue that progression when they faced holders Dunston UTS in the fourth round of 2012-13 but Larkin’s men defied the odds to win 1-0.
Wells saw off another Northern League side, Shildon, in a dramatic semi-final but Spennymoor at Wembley took things to another level.
The Moors had just won the Northern League three years in a row and were about to embark on a remarkable surge up the pyramid. Last season they only missed out on promotion to the National League – which would have been their fourth jump in six years – on penalties.
Larkin, whose side were edged out 2-1, said: “You’ve only got to look at what Spennymoor have done since to see how strong that league is. They were in the middle of something special and that makes our defeat easier to swallow.
“When you look at how many SCEFL teams are going further these days, there must be an element of ‘if Tunbridge Wells can do it, why can’t we? The Northern League probably doesn’t hold the fear it once did. The more teams that win it outside the Northern League, the less that aura exists.”
Like Tunbridge Wells, Corinthian have made it to the sharp end of the competition without a playing budget. The man responsible for their rise is manager Michael Golding, who ran the under-15s, under-18s and reserves before taking the top job five years ago.
He said: “The SCEFL is a completely different standard now to when I was playing. The money being spent only improves the quality of players and the level of football and it doesn’t bother me who wants to spend what.
“The northern teams have historically dominated the Vase but the SCEFL is starting to show it is a strong league. It’s not just about the money, it’s about the professionalism of the league now.
“Clubs are looking after themselves, trying to progress and hopefully we can go with them.”
Kevin Watson, the now Ebbsfleet boss who took Cray Valley to the final last season, agrees.
“The standard of that level has improved – and the style of play,” he said. “Years ago there was more physicality but it’s a different brand of football now. To do well at that level, you have to be able to pass the ball as well.
“The top of the SCEFL has some extremely strong sides – Chatham, Beckenham, Corinthian and Sheppey to name a few – and it’s full of good players with experience of playing at higher levels.”
Where the Northern League’s geography previously encouraged its clubs to reject promotion, the SCEFL’s proximity to London also has its advantages.
But this run has been no flash in the pan for Corinthian. Goal difference denied them promotion last season and they’re right in the title race again.
Golding said: “It’s the perfect storm. The younger players have matured and the senior players like Jack Bath and Luke Tanner, who went through the tough times, have stuck it out.
Belief
“It’s consistency that sets us apart. We’ve only signed three new players this season. We’re not Man City but we play the level and try to play effective football. Boys are developing at the right time and we’re adding the right players here and there.
“To take some of the spotlight away from the northern teams is brilliant. Southern sides are competing. Bitton are also in the semis and Plymouth Parkway were favourites against Hebburn so the momentum is changing.”
Regret is hardly the word for Wells given their 2013 opposition but the Larkin’s pain took a while to ease.
“For a couple of years I was pretty annoyed about it,” he admitted. “I’m finally at the point now where I can look back and be really proud of what we did.
“It was a fantastic six months with a really tight group of lads and that’s what got us through. We weren’t the best team in the competition, we all know that, but we were never going to say no.
“Cray Valley getting there brought it all back and it was great to see them go so close. With Corinthian there now, it does seem the league is getting a lot stronger.”
So what do the SCEFL pioneers all have in common?
“It’s not about how much they’re paid, it’s about their team spirit, camaraderie and belief,” said Richmond. “Tunbridge Wells had that in abundance, so did Cray Valley and I think Corinthian have got it this year.
“We love having the spotlight. I know the Northern League clubs still get excited by the Vase and don’t take it for granted – but it’s good to share.”