ITS THE FA CUP 1872-2017

The FACup was first played for in 1872 at a time when Germany was first created and Queen Victoria opened the Royal Albert Hall. After a couple of postponements during the war years, that was the only time the Cup has not gone through all its formalities of little clubs joining in early in the season with the big boys joining in around the new year. In 1907 non-league Crystal Palace beat unbeatened Newcastle Utd at St James' Park and second in their division. Maybe the first big giant kill?

Today was the Extra Preliminary round and 737 qualified clubs started the campaign this weekend hoping that something might enlighten their history like Lincoln City and Sutton Utd experienced in 2016-17.

This weekend Framingham Town played their first ever FA Cup tie and despite the excitement drew with Wadham Lodge 0-0. Penistone Church went away to Charnock Richard on Lancashire and won 4-3, their first ever win the FA Cup. It's priceless how much fun this competition can bring.

So I thought why not make a weekend of it and visit Staithes, with family, and nip off during Saturday afternoon to watch the nearest cup tie. That seem to go down quite well with my companions, so where did I end up? Guisborough Town FC (step 5) v Stockton Town FC (Step 5). The ties are regionalised to start with so these two knew each other. Both teams play in the Northern League Division One and I found them at the King George V playing field on the edge of a delightful town. It was a great game on a very well appointed ground. 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2,3-2, 4-2 yes a home team win.
Guisborough, founded only in 1973, playing in the Middlesbrough and District League. Since then the club has climbed through the pyramid and reached the FA Vase final in 1978-9 losing to Stamford 2-0 in front of 11,500.

Stockton FC also formed recently in 1979, but I know that the Old Carthusians met a Stockton team in the FA Amateur Cup in 1897! I took the assorted memorabilia with me to give to their club secretary, who seemed eager to get the historical document-an account of the FA Amateur Cup Final which The OCs won comfortably.

There have been a load of exciting ties today including local side Penistone Church winning their first FA Cup tie against Charnock Richard in Lancashire 4-3.