Vase last week, Trophy this, Cup next. Buildbase very kindly support the two "amateur" competitions as they were known in my day. These competitions are now known as "Non-League" now of course and this weekend the Trophy throws up some great games, if you dont want to queue up to get into a all seater stadium, pay vast amounts of money for tickets and vittels, not afford a programme that is a bit like Esquire magazine and get coins thrown at you. Oh and at Non-League grounds you can stand up and not feel guilty.
This week is the First Qualifying of the FA Trophy and for 64 winners it is worth £2700. The First Round proper of the Trophy is worth £5,000 to the next 72 winners and the Semi-Final, £16,000, so it is worth persevering. FC Halifax Town are the present holders and after 46 finals, 40 have been played at Wembley-a great attraction if nothing else.
The first final in 1969 when Macclesfield Town beat Telford United 2-0, raised a 28,000 crowd, this time the number should be doubled.
Scarborough, Telford and Woking have won it three times each. Wycombe Wanderers have won it twice with Martin O'Neil in charge. The last Trophy final at the old Wembley saw Geoff Chapple's Kingstonian win a five goal thriller against Kettering and Geoff oversaw 5 victories with Woking and the Ks in this competition.
Throw in Darlington, Kidderminster Harriers, York City, Cheltenham and a few other old FL clubs who have got to the final, then there is definitely life and a purpose after relegation. Wrexham beat Grimsby on penalties in 2013 and this weekend Buxton (playing at the highest ground in the country) take on local rivals Glossop NE in what is the Peak District challenge. Did you know Glossop North End was a Football League club onceTaunton Town take on Swindon Supermarine, hoping to make waves into the next round while Ashton United may need to use their subs playing Marine.
Two of my old clubs play on Sunday-Horsham (the Hornets) host Romford and Lewes (the Rooks) are away at Kingstonian. They dream of winning the final and getting £50,000 into the coffers, but it's not the money is it?
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