IT IS THE FA CUP 150th ANNIVERSARY

This weekend sees the remaining sides in the 2021-22 Emirates FA Cup battle it out for a place in the next round of the historic competition. The FA Cup was first played for during the 1871-72 season, the oldest cup competition in the world celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. And while some clubs meet for the first time, others will renew long-term rivalries and attempt to build on their own legacies.

New history will also be forged for clubs up and down the country, and perhaps none more so than Frome Town and Oxford City who meet in the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. The last encounter between the two clubs in the competition was prior to the First World War on 18 November 1911, with the side from Somerset coming out as 4-1 winners at their home stadium of Badgers Hill. This victory for Frome Town was seen as a ‘giant killing’ at the time, with Oxford City one of the more well-known non-professional clubs in the country having won the FA Amateur Cup in 1906.

Now, Oxford City will be returning to the Aldersmith Stadium, 110 years later, and hoping to avenge their loss while ensuring it is their name in the hat for the third round qualifying draw on Monday.

For clubs such as Frome Town, which was founded just after the turn of the century in 1904, the Emirates FA Cup still represents an opportunity to test themselves against opposition from across the country in the hope of going further than ever before. Present holders are Leicester City and Arsenal have won the cup more times than any other club, 14.

"The Emirates FA Cup gives clubs like Frome Town the chance to dream, and pursue the holy grail of an appearance in the first round proper," said Steve Jupp, Frome Town’s club historian. "The next tie is always the biggest game of the season."

While Frome Town are dreaming of an appearance in the first round proper this November, for Oxford City this reality was achieved in the 1999-00 edition of the competition and then the second round last term when they lost to Shrewsbury Town having seen off Northampton Town in the first round.

Oxford City will be hoping to go one step further towards replicating that feat of reaching that stage this season by avenging their loss to Frome Town back at the start of the Twentieth Century. Even after 150 years, the historic competition continues to throw up all manner of meetings, whether its clubs facing each other for the first time or those that last met over a century earlier.

Every team that has progressed to the second round qualifying will be aiming to build on their own histories within the Emirates FA Cup and progress to its third round qualifying draw which is due to be announced on Monday 20 September.

Other exotic ties involving some of the 736 Cup entrants include; Weston Super Mare 5 v 1 Taunton Town, York City 3 v 0 Hebburn Town, Prescott Cables 0 v 3 Whitby Town and Kingstonian 1 v 1 Horsham Town.