Wembley is beckoning four more "smaller clubs" as the Trophy and Vase play out their own semi-finals, which are two legged.
In the Trophy, Bognor Regis Town, an unglamorous south coast Regal resort and Grimsby Town (which sort of takes after its name) compete in one of the ties. Grimsby, not long ago a Football League club, should be favourites with Bognor very much the little club comparatively. I don't want to upset Grimsby dwellers, so I will say that their ground is in fact in Cleethorpes which is a very pleasant seaside town.
Bognor had the Royal approval in 1929 and was allowed to attach Regis to its name after King George V found solace there. The club then added "Town" to their name to avoid confusion with the local rugby club. Now playing in the Isthmian League Premier, the club had an amazing run of FA Cup successes in the 1970s and 1980s, appearing in the proper rounds six times, on occasion meeting Colchester Utd, Reading, Swansea City, Gillingham on their way. The playing surface at Nyetimber Road is one of the best in the league.
Today's tie resulted in Bognor 0-1 down.
The other Trophy semi is between Nantwich Town and FC Halifax; once again a tie between an upstart and an ex league club.
Nantwich Town, known as the Dabbers, from the presence of the tanning industry in the town, was also founded in 1884 and after playing in various Cheshire leagues are now in the Northern Premier. Having won the Vase in 2006, the club clearly has a pedigree, including holding the record for the fastest FA Cup hat trick, scored by their very own, Andy Locke against Droylesdon in a Preliminary Round in 1995. It took 2 minutes and 20 seconds.
Halifax play at the Shay still and are in the Conference Premier. The club fell out of the FLeague but rose like a Phoenix in 2008 and is aiming to re-established its status in the FLeague as soon as possible.
Today's score was 2-4 to the Shaymen.
The Vase, a tournament for "village clubs" provides much hope for grass roots clubs. Bowers and Pitsea FC from Essex and Northumbrian Morpeth Town compete in one half of the draw, with Hereford FC and Salisbury FC in the other.
B&P is an Essex senior league club formed in 2003 when Bowers and a Sunday league club Pitsea merged.
Morpeth, known as the Highwaymen, and located near the A1, was probably founded in 1884, well at least the club sign says so, but there are other sources that dispute that. A Northern League Division One side, the club plays at Craik Park and has nearby the "world's smallest roundabout" sited on a mini roundabout near the railway station.
The teams are locked at 2-2 after the first leg.
Hereford also was not long ago a Football League club and had their own moment of fame when Ronnie Radford smashed in a winner over Newcastle United all those years ago.
Salisbury FC is managed and "run" by Steve Claridge and sports' journalist Ian Ridley who both had a hand in Weymouth FC recently. The club has its roots in the 19th Century but formed as a modern club after the last war. The club reformed in 2015-6 with backing from a variety of investors encouraged by Steve and Ian and play in Wessex League. Steve Claridge has part written two amusing books about his time in football including the spell at Weymouth..see "Tales from the Boot Camps" and "Beyond the Boot Camps".
Score so far favours Hereford 1-0
There is a story in every club.
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