HISTORY IS BEING WRITTEN
EVERY year in the Emirates FA Cup, new history is being written. It’s what makes the competition as special as it is.
All across the country, players and clubs have been writing their own fresh stories this weekend.
We had four clubs playing in yesterday’s first round qualifying for the first time in their history – Kenningon, Mulbarton Wanderers, Sherwood Colliery and Stone Old Alleynians.
Each season has significance to it. Maybe it’s a cliche but that is what the magic of The FA Cup is all about. Everyone has their own unique experiences and journeys.
We’ve had well over 350 games so far in this year’s competition with all the replays. A big thank you to all the volunteers at this level of the game for their continued support.
I’ve been to some really exciting games myself and seen first-hand how much time and effort people put in.
The crowds have been really good – including at the replays I’ve been to. It shows there is such a buzz about The FA Cup and how it has really caught the imagination of people who want to get back watching football.
enjoyable part of my job is the conversations I get to have with all the different characters at National League System clubs.
Overall, I get a sense of appreciation we are back playing. We’ve had a lot of thanks for the grant funding through The FA, government and Sport England that has helped clubs at these levels get through the pandemic. Genuinely there is a lot of appreciation everyone has pulled together to keep clubs going.
Certainly one or two clubs I’ve spoken to say they have regrouped and reset after the pandemic. A nice little FA Cup run always helps to bring in extra finances to support clubs on their journey.
Victory in this round is worth at least £3,375 – £2,250 for getting through to the second round qualifying, with a guarantee at that stage of £1,125 for the losing team.
In the preliminary round I was at a thrilling 3-3 draw between South Park and Three Bridges. South Park won the replay 4-2. Goals are flying in everywhere!
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It’s certainly making our Golden Ball in partnership with Mitre competition exciting. This year we will hand The FA Cup’s overall top scorer a special award.
Ahead of the weekend, Seaham Red Star’s Adam Lennox topped the standings with his six goals, keeping him just in front of a whole host of players who have scored five.
We also took the famous trophy to Marlow a couple of weeks ago. More than 300 people from the local communiAn ty turned up to have their picture taken with the cup.
This year is a celebration of the competition’s 150th anniversary and they were one of the clubs in the first ever season.
I’m sure in every clubhouse in the country there is an FA Cup picture on the wall somewhere. Of course, Marlow famously had a game against Tottenham Hotspur in 1993.
Who knows, maybe another club will experience something similar this year.
Monday’s second round qualifying draw will include the Step 2 clubs. Make sure you take the chance to get out to one of those or for a replay this week. No doubt, there will be an appetising tie close to you very soon.