FA Cup Factfile

FA Cup 2017-18 Q4 Rd Review

A bite-size review of this year’s FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round

Cupsets

Step 3 beat Step 1 (a): Eastleigh 1-2 Hereford

Step 3 beat Step 1 (h): Shaw Lane Association 3-1 Barrow

Step 3 beat Step 2 (h): Billericay Town 2-1 Brackley Town

Step 2 beat Step 1 (h): Kidderminster Harriers 2-0 Chester

Into 1^st Round for 1^st time ever

Truro City (31^st campaign), Shaw Lane Association (3rd campaign), Hereford (2^nd campaign)

Into 1^st Round to at least equal best Cup run

Nantwich Town (94 campaigns), Hyde United (73 campaigns), Heybridge Swifts (40 campaigns), AFC Fylde (10 campaigns)

In 1^st Round for first time in a while

Chorley (27 years), Hyde United (23 years), Heybridge Swifts (15 years), Leatherhead (11 years), Billericay Town (10 years)

Successive years making it into 1^st Rd

Maidstone United (4), Boreham Wood (3)

KO in Q4 Rd but set best run

Haringey Borough (38^th campaign), Scarborough Athletic (9^th campaign)

KO in Q4 Rd but equalled best run

Burgess Hill Town (5^th time), Enfield Town, Ossett Town (2nd time)

KO but reached Q4 for first time in a while

n/a

First time KO as early as Q4 for a while

Dagenham and Redbridge (11 years)

KO and not gone further than Q4 Rd for a while

Buxton (55 years), Bognor Regis Town (22 years), Margate (15 years), Shildon (14 years), Folkestone Invicta (12 years), Boston United (11 years), Hampton and Richmond Borough (10 years)

Step 4 Clubs definitely into 1^st Rd

Heybridge Swifts, Hyde United

Consecutive Q4 Rd exits

Torquay United (4)

Chester, Harrogate Town, Margate, Wrexham (3)

Set best FA Cup win

None

Equalled best ever FA Cup win

None

Heaviest ever FA Cup loss

None

Equalled heaviest FA Cup loss

None

Hat-tricks (or more)

Nick Haughton – Chorley

Miscellaneous

Truro City become only the second ever club from Cornwall to appear in the 1^st Round of the FA Cup, after Falmouth Town who did it three times in the 1960s.

Heybridge Swifts are the current top scorers of all clubs still in FA Cup with 23 goals scored so far.

Northern League Division One side Shildon were the last of the 370 clubs to enter the FA Cup in the Extra Preliminary Round in the first weekend of August still standing by the last of the six Qualifying Rounds. They have played as many FA Cup ties (six) as the eventual winners will play.

Torquay United have now lost twice to Aldershot Town in FA Cup, as well as three times to the original Aldershot club, in the five FA Cup meetings they’ve had with the two clubs.

Before this season Shaw Lane Association had never won an FA Cup match. Now they have won twice as many as they have lost.

FA Cup Q4 2017-18 Tie-by-Tie Preview

Please see below my preview of all 32 FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round ties

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Tie No. 1 – FC Halifax Town (National League) v Tranmere Rovers (National League)

Levels: Step 1 v Step 1

Best Runs: Round 2 v QUARTER FINAL

History: No previous FA Cup meetings, however Tranmere Rovers did twice defeat the original Halifax Town in the FA Cup.

Facts: FC Halifax Town achieved its best FA Cup run just last year and has not failed to make the 1^st Round ‘Proper’ for five years. Conversely, Tranmere Rovers has exited the FA Cup in this Round in both the last two seasons.

Tie No. 2 – Solihull Moors (National League) v Ossett Town (NPL 1N)

Levels: Step 1 v Step 4

Best Runs: Round 2 v 4^th qualifying

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: Solihull Moors achieved its best FA Cup run just last year. Ossett Town is equalling the club’s best Cup run achieved just once before 11 years ago.

Tie No. 3 – South Shields (NPL 1N) v Hartlepool United (National League)

Levels: Step 4 v Step 1

Best Runs: 3^rd qualifying v Round 4

History: No previous FA Cup meetings, however Hartlepool United (as Hartlepools United) lost 1-0 to South Shields in 4^th Qualifying Round in 1913/14 season. That South Shields club became Gateshead in 1930.

Facts: South Shields are appearing in this Round for the first time ever in their 23^rd campaign. Hartlepool United is appearing as early as this Round for the first time since 1924/25 season.

Tie No. 4 – Shaw Lane Association (NPL Premier) v Barrow (National League)

Levels: Step 3 v Step 1

Best Runs: preliminary v Round 3

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: Having never won an FA Cup tie before this season, Shaw Lane Association has now won more FA Cup matches than they have lost. Barrow reached the 3^rd Round last season for the 12^th time, a record for any club never to have gone any further.

Tie No. 5 – Chorley (National League N) v Boston United (National League N)

Levels: Step 2 v Step 2

Best Runs: Round 2 v Round 3

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: It is 27 years since Chorley last went beyond the 4^th Qualifying Round when they equalled their best FA Cup run. It is 11 years since Boston United made the 1^st Round ‘Proper’, when they were last a Football League side.

Tie No. 6 – AFC Telford United (National League N) v FC United of Manchester (National League N)

Levels: Step 2 v Step 2

Best Runs: Round 2 v Round 2

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: It is three years since AFC Telford United went beyond the 4th Qualifying Round when setting the club’s record FA Cup run. FC United of Manchester has achieved that feat just once in the six seasons since setting their own record run.

Tie No. 7 – Harrogate Town (National League N) v Gainsborough Trinity (National League N)

Levels: Step 2 v Step 2

Best Runs: Round 2 v Round 3

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: It is five years since Harrogate Town last went beyond the 4^th Qualifying Round when they set their best FA Cup run. Gainsborough Trinity has progressed beyond the 4^th Qualifying Round just once in the last nine seasons.

Tie No. 8 – Nantwich Town (NPL Premier) v Kettering Town (SL Premier)

Levels: Step 3 v Step 3

Best Runs: Round 1 v Round 4

History: No previous FA Cup meetings; Nantwich Town is the fourth club this season Kettering Town is meeting for the first time in the FA Cup.

Facts: It is six years since Nantwich Town ventured beyond the Qualifying Rounds for their one and only time so far. Coincidentally it is also six years since Kettering Town appeared in the 1^st Round.

Tie No. 9 – Buxton (NPL Premier) v Gateshead (National League)

Levels: Step 3 v Step 1

Best Runs: Round 3 v Round 3

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: It is 55 years since Buxton last ventured beyond the Qualifying Rounds of the FA Cup. Gateshead has exited the FA Cup in this Round in both seasons since setting their best Cup run.

Tie No. 10 – Guiseley (National League) v Shildon (NL 1)

Levels: Step 1 v Step 5

Best Runs: Round 1 v Round 2

History: One previous FA Cup meeting won 5-1 by Guiseley in the 2nd Qualifying Round 26 years ago.

Facts: It is five years since Guiseley last went beyond the 4^th Qualifying Round when they equalled their best FA Cup run for the sixth time. It is 14 years since Shildon were last in the FA Cup 1^st Round, the last Northern League side to do so.

Tie No. 11 – AFC Fylde (National League) v Wrexham (National League)

Levels: Step 1 v Step 1

Best Runs: Round 1 v QUARTER FINAL

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: AFC Fylde has reached the 1^st Round ‘Proper’ three times in the last five seasons. Wrexham is competing in the FA Cup for the 125^th time, but it is three years since they went beyond the 4^th Qualifying Round.

Tie No. 12 – Kidderminster Harriers (National League N) v Chester (National League)

Levels: Step 2 v Step 1

Best Runs: Round 5 v Round 2

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: Kidderminster Harriers has progressed beyond the 4^th Qualifying Round three times in the last five seasons. Chester has only once gone beyond this Round in their five previous campaigns.

Tie No. 13 – Scarborough Athletic (NPL 1N) v Hyde United (NPL 1N)

Levels: Step 4 v Step 4

Best Runs: 2^nd qualifying v Round 1

History: No previous FA Cup meetings, although Hyde United lost 1-0 to the original Scarborough in this Round in 1962/63 season.

Facts: Scarborough Athletic is now two Rounds further than the club progressed in eight previous FA Cup campaigns. It is 23 years since Hyde United last went beyond the 4^th Qualifying Round when they equalled their best FA Cup run for the third time.

Tie No. 14 – Stourbridge (NPL Premier) v Macclesfield Town (National League)

Levels: Step 3 v Step 1

Best Runs: Round 3 v Round 4

History: One previous FA Cup meeting, a 1980/81 1^st Qualifying Round tie won 6-2 by Stourbridge.

Facts: Stourbridge set the club’s best ever FA Cup run just last season and have made the 1^st Round five times in the last eight years. Macclesfield Town has only failed to beyond this Round once in the five years since dropping out of the Football League.

Tie No. 15 – Brackley Town (National League N) v Billericay Town (IL Premier)

Levels: Step 2 v Step 3

Best Runs: Round 2 v Round 1

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: Brackley Town equalled the club’s best ever FA Cup run just last season. It is 10 years since Billericay Town last made it through to the 1^st Round ‘Proper’ of the FA Cup.

Tie No. 16 – Dagenham and Redbridge (National League) v Leyton Orient (National League)

Levels: Step 1 v Step 1

Best Runs: Round 4 v SEMI-FINALS

History: Three previous FA Cup meetings with Leyton Orient winning through each time, including a 5-4 win in Dagenham and Redbridge’s first season.

Facts: It is 11 years since Dagenham and Redbridge last exited the FA Cup before the 1^st Round but this is only their second appearance in this Round during that time. It is 97 years since Leyton Orient last competed in the Qualifying Rounds of the FA Cup.

Tie No. 17 – Eastleigh (National League) v Hereford (SL Premier)

Levels: Step 1 v Step 3

Best Runs: Round 3 v 3^rd qualifying

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: Eastleigh has achieved the club’s best ever FA Cup run in both of the last two seasons. Hereford is appearing in FA Cup for only the second time but has already outperformed last season’s run to the 3^rd Qualifying Round.

Tie No. 18 – Aldershot Town (National League) v Torquay United (National League)

Levels: Step 1 v Step 1

Best Runs: Round 4 v Round 4

History: One previous FA Cup meeting, a 4^th qualifying Round tie three years ago won 2-0 by Aldershot Town. Torquay United has also faced the original Aldershot three times and lost each time.

Facts: Aldershot Town has won two and lost two of the four 4^th Qualifying Round ties since dropping out of the Football League. Torquay United has exited the competition in this Round in each of the last three seasons.

Tie No. 19 – Bath City (National League S) v Chelmsford City (National League S)

Levels: Step 2 v Step 2

Best Runs: Round 3 v Round 4

History: One previous FA Cup meeting, a 1^st Round tie won by Bath City 30 years ago.

Facts: Bath City is competing in the FA Cup for the 100^th time but it is six years since the club ventured beyond the Qualifying Rounds. Chelmsford City last did the same five years ago.

Tie No. 20 – Oxford City (National League S) v Bognor Regis Town (National League S)

Levels: Step 2 v Step 2

Best Runs: Round 2 v Round 4

History: One previous FA Cup meeting, a 3^rd Qualifying Round two years ago won 4-2 by Bognor Regis Town.

Facts: It is six years since Oxford City last made it through to the 1st Round ‘Proper’. For Bognor Regis Town it is 22 years since the club last achieved that feat when they equalled their best Cup run for the fourth time.

Tie No. 21 – Maidenhead United (National League) v Havant and Waterlooville (National League S)

Levels: Step 1 v Step 2

Best Runs: QUARTER FINAL v Round 4

History: No previous FA Cup meetings, although Maidenhead United twice lost 1-0 to Havant Town just ahead of their merger with Waterlooville.

Facts: Maidenhead United has only twice made the 1^st Round ‘Proper’ in the club’s last nine FA Cup campaigns. Havant and Waterlooville has only achieved that feat once more during the same period.

Tie No. 22 – Haringey Borough (IL 1N) v Heybridge Swifts (IL 1N)

Levels: Step 4 v Step 4

Best Runs: 3^rd qualifying v Round 1

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: Haringey Borough is appearing in the 4^th Qualifying Round for the first time in the club’s 38^th FA Cup campaign. It is 15 years since Heybridge Swifts last ventured beyond the Qualifying Rounds equalling their best Cup run for the third time.

Tie No. 23 – Woking (National League) v Concord Rangers (National League S)

Levels: Step 1 v Step 2

Best Runs: Round 4 v Round 1

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: Woking has only twice gone beyond the 4^th Qualifying Round in the last six seasons. Concord Rangers only appearance in the 1^st Round ‘Proper’ occurred just three years ago.

Tie No. 24 – Hampton and Richmond Borough (National League S) v Truro City (National League S)

Levels: Step 2 v 2

Best Runs: Round 1 v 3^rd qualifying

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: It is 10 years since Hampton and Richmond Borough made it through to the 1^st Round ‘Proper’ for the second time. Truro City is appearing in the 4^th Qualifying Round for the first time in their 31^st FA Cup campaign and have the chance to become only the second club from Cornwall to make the 1^st Round.

Tie No. 25 – Dover Athletic (National League) v Bromley (National League)

Levels: Step 1 v Step 1

Best Runs: Round 3 v Round 2

History: Two previous FA Cup meetings with one victory apiece, although Bromley also lost 4-0 to Dover in the 1967/68 season.

Facts: Dover Athletic has progressed beyond the 4^th Qualifying Round in each of the last four seasons during which time the club equalled its best ever Cup run. Bromley has only made the 1^st Round once during the same period.

Tie No. 26 – Slough Town (SL Premier) v Folkestone Invicta (IL Premier)

Levels: Step 3 v Step 3

Best Runs: Round 2 v Round 1

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: Slough town is tracking to exit the FA Cup in the 4^th Qualifying Round having gone out in the Preliminary, 1^st Qualifying, 2^nd Qualifying and 3^rd Qualifying successively over the last four years. It is 12 years since Folkestone Invicta last reached the 1^st Round ‘Proper’ when setting the club’s best Cup run.

Tie No. 27 – Burgess Hill Town (IL Premier) v Dartford (National League S)

Levels: Step 3 v Step 2

Best Runs: 4^th qualifying v Round 3

History: One previous FA Cup meeting, a 4^th Qualifying Round three years ago won 3-1 by Dartford.

Facts: Burgess Hill Town is appearing in the 4^th Qualifying Round for the fifth time and for the third time in four seasons. Dartford has made the 1^st Round ‘Proper’ three times during the last four years.

Tie No. 28 – St Albans City (National League S) v Boreham Wood (National League)

Levels: Step 2 v Step 1

Best Runs: Round 2 v Round 2

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: St Albans City has won through to the 1^st Round ‘Proper’ three times in the last four seasons. Boreham Wood has done so four times in the last five years.

Tie No. 29 – Maidstone United (National League) v Enfield Town (IL Premier)

Levels: Step 1 v Step 3

Best Runs: Round 2 v 4^th qualifying

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: Maidstone United has made it through to the 1^st Round ‘Proper’ in each of the last three seasons. Enfield Town is appearing in this Round for only the second time.

Tie No. 30 – Margate (IL Premier) v Leatherhead (IL Premier)

Levels: Step 3 v Step 3

Best Runs: Round 3 v Round 4

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: It is 15 years since Margate last ventured beyond the Qualifying Rounds of the FA Cup. Leatherhead last achieved that feat 11 years ago.

Tie No. 31 – Paulton Rovers (SL 1SW) v Sutton United (National League)

Levels: Step 4 v Step 1

Best Runs: Round 1 v Round 5

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: Paulton Rovers has only gone beyond the 4^th Qualifying Round once in 78 FA Cup campaigns, eight years ago. Sutton United achieved the club’s best FA Cup run to the last 16 just last season.

Tie No. 32 – East Thurrock United (National League S) v Ebbsfleet United (National League)

Levels: Step 2 v Step 1

Best Runs: Round 1 v Round 4

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: East Thurrock United has achieved the club’s best FA Cup run twice in the last six seasons. It is five years since Ebbsfleet United progressed past the 4^th Qualifying Round.

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When Will Enough be Enough?

Let’s all be very clear about this. Those Premier League clubs outside the supposed ‘Top six’ are not fighting against the revised split of TV money for any other reason than for their own self interests.

The ‘non Top Six’ clubs are just trying to prevent the current ‘Top Six’ clubs from doing to them what the current ‘non Top Six clubs’ are doing to every other club below the Premier League. That is, maximisation of profits for themselves without any concern for football as a whole.

Don’t be fooled by the argument that the money needs to be evenly spread to ensure the Premier League remains competitive. Despite what all the media pundits and journalists say, it is not competitive now.

Yes, Leicester City won the Premier League two years ago, supposedly proving that any team can do so, but in reality they were just the exception that proves the rule. Yes a newly promoted team can beat a ‘Top Six’ side, but that makes the headlines because of how infrequently it happens.

The truth of the matter is that the Premier League and its member clubs have too much money as it is. Why do they need even more? To be successful? I don’t think so. Time and again it has been shown that money doesn’t guarantee success. Yes, it gives you a better chance for success, but it doesn’t guarantee it.

No, the real reason clubs want more money is simply so they can have more money. Top level football clubs are businesses, run by business men and women, whose only reason for being is to make as much money as possible. The more money the clubs make the more money the individuals at the clubs will make, and the more money those running the competitions will make. The product itself is irrelevant. Football doesn’t matter.

This ‘money first, football nowhere’ approach is eventually going to kill the game.

Its inevitable conclusion is that there will be a small cluster of clubs remaining across Europe and the World, who will all base themselves in one tax haven with a temperate climate and all play each other in a closed league broadcast across the world by the highest bidder for TV rights.

In the eyes of the financially focused boards of these clubs all other levels of football can simply go hang itself.

Whatever the outcome of the current talks about sharing TV money, the long term result will be exactly the same.

FA Cup 2017-18 Q3 Round Review

Cupsets

Step 5 beat 3 (a): Banbury United 2-3 Shildon

Step 4 beat 2 (h): South Shields 3-2 York City

Step 4 beat 3 (a): Stratford Town 1-4 Scarborough Athletic (Aet)

Step 4 beat 3 (h): Heybridge Swifts 2-1 Frome Town

Step 3 beat 2 (h): Billericay 6-1 Hungerford Town (rep), Nantwich Town 3-1 Nuneaton Town, Stourbridge 3-1 Alfreton Town, Slough Town 2-1 Poole Town, Burgess Hill Town 1-0 Wealdstone

Into Q4 for 1^st time ever

Haringey Borough (38^th campaign), Truro City (31^st campaign), South Shields (23^rd campaign), Scarborough Athletic (9th campaign), Shaw Lane Association (3^rd campaign), Hereford (2^nd campaign)

Into Q4 to at least equal best Cup run

Burgess Hill Town (46 campaigns), Ossett Town (42 campaigns), Enfield Town (15 campaigns)

In Q4 for first time in a while

Folkestone Invicta (10 years), Paulton Rovers (8 years), Leatherhead (6 years), Boston United, Buxton (5 years)

KO in Q3 Rd but set best run

Basford United (42^nd campaign), Ashton Athletic (10^th campaign), Dorking Wanderers (5^th campaign), 1874 Northwich (4th campaign)

KO in Q3 Rd but equalled best run

Bridport (58^th campaign), Stratford Town (37th campaign), Phoenix Sports (4^th campaign), AFC Mansfield (3^rd campaign)

KO but reached Q3 for first time in a while

Bridport (60 years), Boston Town (37 years), Alvechurch (26 years), Bideford, Herne Bay (15 years), Newcastle Benfield (9 years), Ashford Town (Mdx), Aylesbury United (8 years), Cinderford Town (7 years)

First time KO as early as Q3 for a while

York City (92 years), Alfreton Town, Braintree Town (7 years)

KO and not gone further than Q3 Rd for a while

Boston Town (38 years), Banbury United (37 years), Leamington (35 years), Frome Town (33 years), Herne Bay (31 years), Cinderford Town (21 years), Bideford (15 years), Lancaster City (13 years), AFC Sudbury, Hungerford Town, Newcastle Benfield (11 years), Stafford Rangers (10 years)

Step 5 Clubs definitely into Q4 Rd

Shildon (Northern League Division 1)

Consecutive Q3 exits

AFC Mansfield, Banbury United, Hungerford Town, Lancaster City (2)

Set best FA Cup win

None

Equalled best ever FA Cup win

Havant and Waterlooville (4-0)

Heaviest ever FA Cup loss

Phoenix Sports (0-3)

Equalled heaviest FA Cup loss

Hungerford Town, Needham Market (1-6)

Hayes and Yeading United (0-4)

Hat-tricks (or more)

Billy Bricknell – Billericay Town

Alfie Pavey – Dartford

Ralston Gabriel – Haringey Borough

Matt Beadle – Hyde United

Miscellaneous

The last club to knock out York City in the FA Cup as early as the 3^rd Qualifying Round was Wath Athletic (4-1 in 1925/26 season)

FC United of Manchester came back from three goals down to earn a replay against Stockport County. Then in the replay won 1-0 after going down to nine men before half time at 0-0. Lloyd Allinson in goal was the star

1874 Northwich earned a replay for the fourth time in five rounds in this season’s FA Cup after coming from behind with a goal late on against Ossett Town. In the end they played 840 minutes of FA Cup football this season before going out on penalties.

Heybridge Swifts continue as top scorers in this year’s FA Cup now with 19 goals. Kettering Town extend their lead as overall all-time FA Cup top scorers with 878 goals

FA Cup 2017-18 Q3 Round Tie-by-Tie Previews

Tie No. 1 – 1874 Northwich (NWCL Premier) v Ossett Town (NPL 1N)

Levels: Step 5 v Step 4

Best Runs: preliminary v 4^th qualifying

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: Having played 7 games already in FA Cup this year, 1874 Northwich are now three Rounds further than the club has ever gone before. Ossett Town has only once gone beyond this Round and that was 12 years ago.

Tie No. 2 – AFC Mansfield (NCEL Premier) v Boston United (National League N)

Levels: Step 5 v Step 2

Best Runs: 3^rd qualifying v Round 3

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: AFC Mansfield is equalling the club’s best ever FA Cup run set just last season. It is five years since Boston United last went beyond the 3^rd Qualifying Round.

Tie No. 3 – Stafford Rangers (NPL Premier) v AFC Telford United (National League N)

Levels: Step 3 v Step 2

Best Runs: Round 4 v Round 2

History: No previous FA Cup meetings, however Stafford Rangers faced Telford United five times when they were known as Wellington Town, winning just once.

Facts: It is 10 years since Stafford Rangers appeared in and ventured beyond the 3^rd Qualifying Round. AFC Telford United set the club’s best FA Cup run just three years ago

Tie No. 4 – Newcastle Benfield (NL 1) v Kidderminster Harriers (National League N)

Levels: Step 5 v Step 2

Best Runs: 4^th qualifying v Round 5

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: Newcastle Benfield has only gone beyond the 3^rd Qualifying Round once before, 11 years ago. It is 34 years since Kidderminster Harriers last exited the FA Cup as early as this Round.

Tie No. 5 – Nantwich Town (NPL 1) v Nuneaton Town (National League N)

Levels: Step 3 v Step 2

Best Runs: Round 1 v Round 1

History: One previous FA Cup meeting won 1-0 by Nantwich Town in the 2011/12 season.

Facts: Nantwich Town went beyond this Round for the first time in five years last season. Nuneaton Town has only gone out of the FA Cup as early as this Round three times in the club’s nine campaigns.

Tie No. 6 – Boston Town (UCL Premier) v Hyde United (NPL 1N)

Levels: Step 5 v Step 4

Best Runs: Round 1 v Round 1

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: It is 37 years since Boston Town last appeared in the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round. Hyde United has successfully come through the previous Round for the first time in four years.

Tie No. 7 – Banbury United (SL Premier) v Shildon (NL 1)

Levels: Step 3 v Step 5

Best Runs: Round 1 v Round 2

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: It is 37 years since Banbury United last progressed past the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. Shildon achieved the feat three years ago, for the only time in the last 13 seasons.

Tie No. 8 – Scarborough Athletic (NPL 1N) v Stratford Town (SL Premier)

Levels: Step 4 v Step 3

Best Runs: 2^nd qualifying v 3^rd qualifying – the winner of this tie will become history makers

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: Scarborough Athletic is appearing in this Round for the first time ever having twice before fallen in the previous Round. Stratford Town is appearing in this Round for the fourth time, all in the 21^st Century.

Tie No. 9 – Basford United (NPL 1S) v Kettering Town (SL Premier)

Levels: Step 4 v Step 3

Best Runs: 2^nd qualifying v Round 4

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: In 41 previous campaigns Basford United had nine attempts to win in 2^nd Qualifying Round, a feat the club has finally achieved at the 10^th time of asking. Kettering Town is tracking to reach the 1st Round ‘Proper’ having exited the FA Cup one round further than in the previous year over each of the last three seasons.

Tie No. 10 – Shaw Lane Association (NPL Premier) v Lancaster City (NPL Premier)

Levels: Step 3 v Step 3

Best Runs: preliminary v Round 2

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: The clubs may well play in the same League but their FA Cup histories couldn’t be more different. Shaw Lane Association has now won as many FA Cup ties as they have lost (two), whilst Lancaster City is in the club’s 94^th campaign, although they have not ventured beyond the 3^rd Qualifying Round for 13 years.

Tie No. 11 – Buxton (NPL Premier) v Alvechurch (NPL 1S)

Levels: Step 3 v Step 4

Best Runs: Round 3 v Round 3

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: It is five years since Buxton progressed beyond the 3^rd Qualifying Round. Alvechurch has had to wait a little longer – 26 years, although only 15 campaigns.

Tie No. 12 – Stockport County (National League N) v FC United of Manchester (National League N)

Levels: Step 2 v Step 2

Best Runs: Round 5 v Round 2

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: Stockport County has twice exited the FA Cup by this Round in the last four seasons. For FC United of Manchester it is three out of the last four seasons for the same outcome.

Tie No. 13 – Ashton Athletic (NWCL Premier) v Chorley (National League N)

Levels: Step 5 v Step 2

Best Runs: 2^nd qualifying v Round 2

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: It is the second successive season where Ashton Athletic will set their best ever FA Cup run. Chorley has twice gone beyond this Round in the last three seasons.

Tie No. 14 – Leamington (National League N) v Gainsborough Trinity (National League N)

Levels: Step 2 v Step 2

Best Runs: Round 2 v Round 3

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: It is 12 years since Leamington last ventured beyond the 3^rd Qualifying Round. Gainsborough Trinity has done so twice in the last three seasons.

Tie No. 15 – Stourbridge (NPL Premier) v Alfreton Town (National League N)

Levels: Step 3 v Step 2

Best Runs: Round 3 v Round 2

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: Stourbridge set the club’s best ever FA Cup run last season, after equalling their previous best the season before. Alfreton Town has not failed to go beyond this Round for seven years.

Tie No. 16 – South Shields (NPL 1N) v York City (National League N)

Levels: Step 4 v Step 2

Best Runs: 3^rd qualifying v SEMI-FINALS

History: No previous FA Cup meetings, although York City has met former South Shields (or used to be called South Shields) clubs four times in the past, winning two and losing two.

Facts: It is 20 years since South Shields’ one and only previous appearance in the 3^rd Qualifying Round. It is 92 years since York City last exited the FA Cup as early as this Round.

Tie No. 17 – Harrogate Town (National League N) v Bradford (Park Avenue) (National League N)

Levels: Step 2 v Step 2

Best Runs: Round 2 v Round 1

History: One previous FA Cup meeting, won 4-0 by Bradford (Park Avenue) eight years ago.

Facts: Harrogate Town has gone beyond this Round in both the last two seasons, whereas it is four years since Bradford (Park Avenue) did the same.

Tie No. 18 – Swindon Supermarine (SL 1SW) v Paulton Rovers (SL 1SW)

Levels: Step 4 v Step 4

Best Runs: Round 2 v Round 1

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: The last time these clubs went beyond the 3^rd Qualifying Round they both set their best ever FA Cup runs. For Swindon Supermarine in was seven years ago, for Paulton Rovers it was eight.

Tie No. 19 – Enfield Town (IL Premier) v Phoenix Sports (IL 1S)

Levels: Step 3 v Step 4

Best Runs: 4^th qualifying v 2^nd qualifying

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: It is just two seasons ago when Enfield Town went beyond the 3^rd Qualifying Round for their first and only time. Phoenix Sports are only in their fourth FA Cup campaign, setting their best run two years ago, too.

Tie No. 20 – Hayes and Yeading United (SL 1SE) v Havant and Waterlooville (National League S)

Levels: Step 4 v Step 2

Best Runs: Round 1 v Round 4

History: No previous FA Cup meetings, although Havant and Waterlooville did lose on penalties to Hayes in their first FA Cup campaign as an amalgamated club.

Facts: The ‘Ampersand’ derby, in fact the third ‘And’ club Hayes and Yeading United will face in this year’s FA Cup. It is five years since they went beyond this Round. Havant and Waterlooville has done so twice in the last three seasons.

Tie No. 21 – Hereford (SL Premier) v AFC Hornchurch (IL 1N)

Levels: Step 3 v Step 4

Best Runs: 3^rd qualifying v Round 1

History: No previous FA Cup meetings, although AFC Hornchurch lost 1-0 to Hereford United in that club’s final FA Cup campaign.

Facts: Hereford is in just the club’s second FA Cup run now reaching this Round in both seasons. Over the last four seasons AFC Hornchurch has alternated between exiting in 4^th Qualifying Round and 1^st Qualifying Round.

Tie No. 22 – Slough Town (SL Premier) v Poole Town (National League S)

Levels: Step 3 v Step 2

Best Runs: Round 2 v Round 3

History: One previous FA Cup meeting, won 3-0 by Poole Town in the 1983/84 season.

Facts: Slough Town is trending towards a 1^st Round ‘Proper’ exit this season having exited progressively from 1^st Qualifying Round to 4^th Qualifying Round over the last four years. Over the same period Poole Town has alternated between exiting in 4^th Qualifying Round and 2^nd Qualifying Round.

Tie No. 23 – Brackley Town (National League N) v Braintree Town (National League S)

Levels: Step 2 v Step 2

Best Runs: Round 2 v Round 2

History: One previous FA Cup meeting, won 2-0 by Brackley Town 11 years ago.

Facts: The only National League North vs South tie of the Round. Brackley Town equalled the club’s best ever FA Cup run just last season reaching it for the second time in four years. Similarly, Braintree Town set the club’s best run after four successive seasons of just missing out.

Tie No. 24 – Concord Rangers (National League S) v Dorking Wanderers (IL Premier)

Levels: Step 2 v 3

Best Runs: Round 1 v 2^nd qualifying

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: Concord Rangers were knocked out of FA Cup before this Round in the two seasons since setting the club’s best ever FA Cup run. Dorking Wanderers is in the club’s 5^th FA Cup campaign having set their best run three years ago, too.

Tie No. 25 – East Thurrock United (National League S) v Harlow Town (IL Premier)

Levels: Step 2 v Step 3

Best Runs: Round 1 v Round 4

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: East Thurrock United has failed to go beyond this Round in the two seasons since equalling the club’s best FA Cup run. Harlow Town has only once gone beyond this Round in the club’s last eight campaigns.

Tie No. 26 – Chelmsford City (National League S) v Weymouth (SL Premier)

Levels: Step 2 v Step 3

Best Runs: Round 4 v Round 4

History: Two previous FA Cup meetings, with one win apiece, Weymouth 2-1 in 1948-49 season, Chelmsford City 1-0 in 1985-86.

Facts: The only 3^rd Qualifying Round tie where the two clubs have met more than once before in the FA Cup. Chelmsford City has progressed just once beyond this Round in the last four years. Conversely, Weymouth has failed just once to go through to the next Round in the last four seasons.

Tie No. 27 – Cinderford Town (SL 1SW) v Hampton and Richmond Borough (National League S)

Levels: Step 4 v Step 2

Best Runs: Round 2 v Round 1

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: It is 21 years since Cinderford Town progressed past the 3^rd Qualifying Round. Hampton and Richmond Borough did so just four seasons ago.

Tie No. 28 – Oxford City (National League S) v Leiston (IL Premier)

Levels: Step 2 v Step 3

Best Runs: Round 2 v Round 1

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: It is four years since Oxford City ventured beyond the 3^rd Qualifying Round. Leiston is trending towards a 1^st Round ‘Proper’ exit this season having exited progressively from 1^st Qualifying Round to 4^th Qualifying Round over the last four years.

Tie No. 29 – Margate (IL Premier) v Herne Bay (IL 1S)

Levels: Step 3 v Step 4

Best Runs: Round 3 v 4^th qualifying

History: One previous FA Cup meeting 47 years ago, won 1-0 by Margate.

Facts: The North Kent Coast derby. Margate has progressed beyond this Round in both of the last two seasons. It is 15 years since Herne Bay appeared in this Round and 31 years since going any further.

Tie No. 30 – St Albans City (National League S) v Bridport (TWL Premier)

Levels: Step 2 v Step 5

Best Runs: Round 2 v 3^rd qualifying

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: It is five years since St Albans City last failed to go beyond the 3^rd Qualifying Round. It is only the second time Bridport has appeared in this Round in 58 FA Cup campaigns, the last time being 61 years ago.

Tie No. 31 – Heybridge Swifts (IL 1N) v Frome Town (SL Premier)

Levels: Step 4 v Step 3

Best Runs: Round 1 v Round 1

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: It is four years since Heybridge Swifts progressed beyond the 3^rd Qualifying Round. However, it is 33 years since Frome Town did the same.

Tie No. 32 – Truro City (National League S) v AFC Sudbury (IL 1N)

Levels: Step 2 v Step 4

Best Runs: 3^rd qualifying v Round 1

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: Truro City is appearing in the 3^rd Qualifying Round for the fourth time nine seasons. It is 11 years since AFC Sudbury went past the 3^rd Qualifying Round. The club will travel 714 miles in the hope of doing it again.

Tie No. 33 – Eastbourne Borough (National League S) v Bognor Regis Town (National League S)

Levels: Step 2 v Step 2

Best Runs: Round 1 v Round 2

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: The Sussex Coast derby. Eastbourne Borough achieved the club’s best FA Cup run for the fourth time just last season. Bognor Regis Town has ventured past the 3^rd Qualifying Round just once in the last 12 campaigns.

Tie No. 34 – Bath City (National League S) v Hemel Hempstead Town (National League S)

Levels: Step 2 v Step 2

Best Runs: Round 3 v Round 1

History: No previous FA Cup meetings despite 197 campaigns between the two clubs.

Facts: Bath City is competing in FA Cup for the 100^th time, but has gone out at this stage of the competition in both the last two seasons. Hemel Hempstead Town has only exited as early as this Round once in the last four years.

Tie No. 35 – Needham Market (IL Premier) v Dartford (National League S)

Levels: Step 3 v Step 2

Best Runs: 4^th qualifying v Round 3

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: Needham Market has progressed beyond this Round just once in the club’s previous 14 FA Cup campaigns, four years ago. Dartford has only once gone out of the competition as early as the 3rd Qualifying Round in their last seven campaigns.

Tie No. 36 – Haringey Borough (IL 1N) v Bideford (SL 1SW)

Levels: Step 4 v Step 4

Best Runs: 3^rd qualifying v Round1

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: Haringey Borough is appearing in the 3^rd Qualifying Round for only the second time in 38 FA Cup campaigns, the last time was 31 years ago. It is 15 years since Bideford made it this far in the FA Cup.

Tie No. 37 – Folkestone Invicta (IL Premier) v Aylesbury United (SL 1SE)

Levels: Step 3 v Step 4

Best Runs: Round 1 v Round 3

History: One previous FA Cup meeting won 2-0 by Folkestone Invicta 12 years ago.

Facts: It is 10 years since Folkestone Invicta last went beyond the 3rd Qualifying Round. Aylesbury United is competing in FA Cup for the 100^th time, but it is nine years since the club has gone further than this Round.

Tie No. 38 – Hungerford Town (National League S) v Billericay Town (IL Premier)

Levels: Step 2 v Step 3

Best Runs: Round 1 v Round 1

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: It is 11 years since Hungerford Town last progressed past the 3rd Qualifying Round. Billericay Town did so last season for the first time in nine campaigns.

Tie No. 39 – Burgess Hill Town (IL Premier) v Wealdstone (National League S)

Levels: Step 3 v Step 2

Best Runs: 4^th qualifying v Round 3

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: Burgess Hill Town achieved the club’s best FA Cup run for the fourth time just last season. Wealdstone has gone beyond this Round in both the last two seasons.

Tie No. 40 – Ashford Town (Mdx) (SL 1SE) v Leatherhead (IL Premier)

Levels: Step 4 v Step 3

Best Runs: 4^th qualifying v Round 4

History: No previous FA Cup meetings.

Facts: Ashford Town (Mdx) has only twice gone beyond the 3^rd Qualifying Round in the club’s previous 22 campaigns. It is six years since Leatherhead

Football History Matters

It shouldn’t really rile me.

I mean, there are far more concerning things going on in the world at the moment that should (and do) get me angry. Natural disasters in the Caribbean and in Mexico, the apparent ineptitude of the Brexit negotiations, the threat of annihilation of the planet.

There are even things going on in football that are more critical; corrupt FIFA officials, rogue owners destroying the heart and soul of the clubs they have purchased, ridiculous levels of greed by players and agents. I could go on.

But as a football historian I am particularly irked by the presentation of football in this country as beginning with the ‘formation’ of the Premier League. I don’t think that the mainstream media (especially BBC, SKY, Telegraph to name but three) don’t believe football existed before 1992, rather that they think that football didn’t matter before then.

The 18 league titles by Liverpool. Doesn’t matter. The record 357 top flight goals by Jimmy Greaves. Doesn’t matter. The record 849 top flight appearances by Peter Shilton. Doesn’t matter.

All those records, and many, many more besides, are ignored, wiped out, belittled, every time a commentator or a journalist says ‘it’s a Premier League record’.

For the record (!) there is no such thing as a Premier League ‘record’. Only the most goals, or most appearances, or most sendings-off since 1992.

It’s like saying that ‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams is the second biggest selling single in the UK behind Elton John’s tribute to Princess Diana because it’s the second highest selling single since 1992, ignoring greats like ‘She Loves You’, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘Relax’ just because they had the misfortune to have been hits in the 60s, 70s and 80s.

Without denigrating Gareth Barry’s terrific achievement of making 633 top flight appearances, it is not a record. It is just the most appearances in the top flight since 1992. Apparently he’s broken the ‘record’ set by Ryan Giggs. No he hasn’t. Ryan Giggs had 672 top-flight appearances in total (not a record), but those 40 appearances before 1992 are conveniently forgotten for the sake of a soundbite that suits the media and their presentation of football.

Gary Speed was quite rightly admitted into the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame this week. The BBC article was quick to point out how many Premier League games Gary had played, how many Welsh caps he had earned, how successful he was as Wales manager. But no mention of the fact he had won a League title medal. Probably his greatest achievement, but because it was won prior to the Premier League moniker it wasn’t deemed worth mentioning. Just brushed under the carpet. It didn’t matter.

Even the National Football Museum itself via its Twitter feed ignored this pinnacle of his playing career tweeting solely about how Gary Speed was a stalwart of the Premier League. Now I love the National Football Museum, but if even they, an organisation that promotes the history of football, doesn’t think it worthy to mention something that was achieved before 1992, what hope is there that anyone else will.

Well I will. I will continue to rail against the media who present football facts that ignore everything that happened in the 120 or so years before the top flight was re-named the Premier League. What happened in those years, and the records that were set, matter!

2017-18 FA Cup Q2 Rd Review

Please quote source “@FACupFactfile on Twitter” if using these bite-size Facts and Stats about the FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round

Cupsets

5 beat 2 (h): 1874 Northwich 1-0 North Ferriby United

5 beat 3 (a): Rushall Olympic 1-2 AFC Mansfield

4 beat 2 (a): Darlington 0-3 South Shields, Welling United 1-2 Haringey Borough

5 beat 3 (h): Newcastle Benfield 2-1 Ashford United, Shildon 1-0 Altrincham

5 beat 4 (a): Dereham town 1-2 Boston Town

4 beat 3 (a): Grantham Town 3-4 Alvechurch, Gosport Borough 1-2 Swindon Supermarine

3 beat 2 (a): Blyth Spartans 1-2 Shaw Lane Association

4 beat 3 (h): Hyde United 2-0 Warrington Town, Basford United 1-0 Mickleover Sports, Heybridge Swifts 1-1 Metropolitan Police (4-3 pens)

3 beat 2 (h): Weymouth 2-0 Chippenham Town, Stafford Rangers 1-0 Tamworth

Into Q3 for 1^st time ever

Basford United (42^nd campaign – and after nine previous Q2 Rd defeats), Ashton Athletic (10^th campaign), Scarborough Athletic (9^th campaign), Dorking Wanderers (5^th campaign), 1874 Northwich, Phoenix Sports (4^th campaign), Shaw Lane Association (3^rd campaign)

Into Q3 to at least equal best Cup run

Bridport (58th campaign), Haringey Borough (38^th campaign), Stratford Town (37^th campaign), Truro City (31^st campaign), South Shields (23^rd campaign), Hereford (2^nd campaign)

In Q3 for first time in a while

Bridport (61 years), Boston Town (37 years), Haringey Borough (31 years), Alvechurch (26 years), South Shields (20 years), Bideford, Herne Bay (15 years), Stafford Rangers (10 years), Aylesbury United, Newcastle Benfield (9 years)

KO in Q2 Rd but set best run

Sunderland Ryhope Community Association (14 campaigns), Colney Heath (10 campaigns), Albion Sports, Knaphill (4 campaigns), Baldock Town, Penistone Church (3 campaigns), Glebe, Haughmond (2 campaigns)

KO in Q2 Rd but equalled best run

Tunbridge Wells (49 campaigns), Barking (17 campaigns), Deeping Rangers (16 campaigns), St Ives Town (15 campaigns), Kidlington (12 campaigns), Kings Langley (8 campaigns), AFC Portchester (7 campaigns), Darlington, FC Romania (4 campaigns), Salisbury (2 campaigns)

KO but reached Q2 for first time in a while

Tavistock (63 years), Tunbridge Wells (38 years), Atherton Collieries, Barking, Marlow (15 years), Hertford Town (13 years), Ramsgate (10 years)

First time KO as early as Q2 for a while

Southport (14 years), Gloucester City (7 years)

KO and not gone further than Q2 Rd for a while

Tavistock (63 years), Kempston Rovers (37 years), Royston Town (29 years), Atherton Collieries (23 years), Hertford Town, Marlow (22 years), Shepshed Dynamo (21 years), Thatcham Town (17 years), Ramsgate (12 years), Cheshunt (11 years)

Step 5 Clubs definitely into Q3 Rd

Newcastle Benfield & Shildon (Northern League Division 1)

Boston Town (United Counties League Premier Division)

1874 Northwich & Ashton Athletic (North West Counties League Premier Division)

AFC Mansfield (Northern Counties East League Premier Division)

Bridport (The Western League Premier Division)

Consecutive Q2 exits

Biggleswade Town, Dulwich Hamlet, Tamworth (3)

Set best FA Cup win

None

Equalled best ever FA Cup win

Enfield Town (5-0)

Heaviest ever FA Cup loss

Ramsgate (0-7)

Knaphill (0-6)

Haughmond (0-5)

Handsworth Parramore (2-6)

Albion Sports (0-4)

Equalled heaviest FA Cup loss

Hanwell Town (0-5)

Thamesmead Town (0-5)

Darlington (0-3)

Hat-tricks (or more)

Josh Nicholson – Ashton Athletic

Nat Jarvis – Bath City

Jake Robinson – Billericay Town

Chris Dickson – Chelmsford City

Elliot Bradbrook – Dartford

Jack Midson (4) – Leatherhead

Ashley Chambers – Nuneaton Town

Miscellaneous

Paulton Rovers came back from 0-2 and a man down against Kidlington to win 3-2 with a last minute winner by Jack Ball

Damien Reeves headed a 96^th minute winner for Shaw Lane Association in their shock 2-1 win at Blyth Spartans

A defeat for Basford United would have created a new record for most FA Cup exits in Q2 Rd without ever going further, but their 1-0 win means that they progress to Q3 Rd at the 10^th time of asking

Deeping Rangers saw their record ever home crowd as 696 spectators attended their TV broadcast tie against Kidderminster Harriers