THE HORNETS (AGAIN) IN THE CUP

FA Cup 1st Round Proper Replay 14th Nov 2023 – Horsham FC vs Barnsley FC

The statement involving Barnsley FC; the club acknowledges the decision of the Football Association to reinstate Horsham Football Club in the Emirates FA Cup 2023/24 competition. This follows the confirmation by Barnsley FC that due to an administrative error, they fielded an ineligible player in the First Round Proper away replay against Horsham FC, which Barnsley won 0-3.

Subject to the outcome of any appeal by Barnsley FC against the FA ruling, Horsham FC will now face Sutton United in the FA Cup Second Round Proper fixture scheduled for Saturday 2nd December at 3pm at their Gander Green Lane ground. Commenting on the news, Club Chairman Kevin Borrett said: “The Barnsley Chairman Neerav Parekh contacted me on Friday 17th November to make the club aware of the administrative error and FA consideration of the matter.

“I understand the immense disappointment that this decision by the FA would be to both Barnsley Football Club and its supporters. On behalf of Horsham FC, I wish Barnsley FC every success in their pursuit of promotion back to the EFL Championship at the end of the 2023/24 season.”

Horsham FC expect to be able to confirm Emirates FA Cup Second Round Proper ticket arrangements against Sutton United in the next 48 hours.

P.S. Horsham FC was my local town (first) club, was where I went to school. I now live in retirement, near Barnsley, my nearest F.L. Club and Sutton United was the pinnacle of my footballing journey, where I played whilst at University and after.  

“I understand the immense disappointment that this decision by the FA would be to both Barnsley Football Club and its supporters. On behalf of Horsham FC, I wish Barnsley FC every success in their pursuit of promotion back to the EFL Championship at the end of the 2023/24 season.”

Horsham FC made its debut in the FA Cup in 1903 on October 3rd when they met Worthing FC, in a First Qualifying Rd tie,  away in front of between 400-500 spectators. They lost 2-0. In 1904 the two met again at Queen's Street with Worthing victorious 3-0. The club had to wait until 1937-8 before the Hornets played Bognor Regis Town in a Preliminary Round Cup replay (2-2 at home) with a 2-3 win away.

In 1947–48 Horsham reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup for the first time, taking a first-minute lead against Tommy Lawton's Notts County, before losing 9–1.

In 1966 they reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup for a second time, after defeating Hastings United, who include a rather chubby ex-Spurs and England centre forward, Bobby Smith, 2–1 in the 4th Qualifying Round. Horsham then played Swindon Town in front of a crowd of 7,134 at Queen Street. Although they lost 0–3, the day was a 'red letter day' for the club, with an up and coming Don Rogers in their team. A special temporary stand was erected at the Queen Street end of the ground for the match. I saw both these games! In 1973, Horsham joined the Isthmian League when it expanded to two divisions. 

In 2007–08, the team beat Maidenhead United 4–1 to reach the Second Round Proper of the FA Cup for the first time, where two matches were played against eventual League One champions, Swansea City.

Having sold their Queen's Street ground for redevelopment at the end of the season, Horsham played at Worthing during 2008–09 and reached the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup where they took Conference side Stevenage Borough to a replay.

The 2021–22 season saw the first fully completed campaign at the new ground and Horsham made their fourth appearance in the FA Cup first round, losing 2–0 to Carlisle United. 

Horsham reached the first round of the FA Cup in 2023–24, where they were drawn away to Barnsley. The tie finished 3-3 and as a result, a live televised replay was played in Horsham on 14 November 2023 where Horsham lost 3-0 in front of a record home attendance of 3,000 at home ground, The Hop Oast. SEE THE LATEST NEWS AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE!

The first Horsham Football Club was founded in 1871, though its existence largely depended upon enough players being available to form a side. In 1881 the club was firmly re-established, playing its first game against Dorking, and, in September 1882, helped found the Sussex County Football Association, with club official A. R. Bostock becoming one of three original Vice Presidents. Horsham became founder members of the West Sussex F.L. in 1896.