The Official FA Cup Thread 2017/18
Discussion
I wasn't surprised that there was no thread for this, given that for a lot of people on here, the FA Cup doesn't start until January's Third Round Proper. No slight intended, it's just how it is - even us Yeovil fans don't usually get excited until the First Round which is in November.
But for a lot of clubs at much lower levels, the greatest club football competition in the world starts this weekend, and so it is for me and a few others on here, maybe. I am secretary of a small club near Bristol who are in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, having won promotion last season to the Western League Premier Division. Our ascent line to the Football League would go...
Western League Premier
Southern League South & West
Southern League Premier
Vanarama South
Vanarama National
League Two
Except it'll never happen. Our ground is small and picturesque with views of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Welsh hills in the background but development of the site (green belt) would probably only get us up one more level without moving. We're now at the highest level we've played at and this season will be a struggle for sure. We don't pay our players at all while others are putting in more than £1,000 a week into their playing budget to compete.
Today though, all that is gently nudged aside for the FA Cup. We travel to play the side we were promoted as runners-up with last season, Wellington. Except that as their pitch shares with the local cricket, and the FA won't let ties be swiched anymore unless it's exceptional circumstances, we are playing a further 27 miles away in deepest Devon. Non-league football, eh?
Spare a thought then for all the clubs in action today, about 350 of them in total. The £1,500 for the winners today will be a lifeline for some clubs while for others, they'll just give it to the players (fair enough, it's their cash!). Let's hope that for our sake, it's the former.
Welcome back FA Cup, I've missed you.
But for a lot of clubs at much lower levels, the greatest club football competition in the world starts this weekend, and so it is for me and a few others on here, maybe. I am secretary of a small club near Bristol who are in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, having won promotion last season to the Western League Premier Division. Our ascent line to the Football League would go...
Western League Premier
Southern League South & West
Southern League Premier
Vanarama South
Vanarama National
League Two
Except it'll never happen. Our ground is small and picturesque with views of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Welsh hills in the background but development of the site (green belt) would probably only get us up one more level without moving. We're now at the highest level we've played at and this season will be a struggle for sure. We don't pay our players at all while others are putting in more than £1,000 a week into their playing budget to compete.
Today though, all that is gently nudged aside for the FA Cup. We travel to play the side we were promoted as runners-up with last season, Wellington. Except that as their pitch shares with the local cricket, and the FA won't let ties be swiched anymore unless it's exceptional circumstances, we are playing a further 27 miles away in deepest Devon. Non-league football, eh?
Spare a thought then for all the clubs in action today, about 350 of them in total. The £1,500 for the winners today will be a lifeline for some clubs while for others, they'll just give it to the players (fair enough, it's their cash!). Let's hope that for our sake, it's the former.
Welcome back FA Cup, I've missed you.
Edited by GloverMart on Saturday 5th August 10:00
GloverMart said:
I wasn't surprised that there was no thread for this, given that for a lot of people on here, the FA Cup doesn't start until January's Third Round Proper. No slight intended, it's just how it is - even us Yeovil fans don't usually get excited until the First Round which is in November.
But for a lot of clubs at much lower levels, the greatest club football competition in the world starts this weekend, and so it is for me and a few others on here, maybe. I am secretary of a small club near Bristol who are in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, having won promotion last season to the Western League Premier Division. Our ascent line to the Football League would go...
Western League Premier
Southern League Wales & West
Southern League Premier
Vanarama South
Vanarama National
League Two
Except it'll never happen. Our ground is small and picturesque with views of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Welsh hills in the background but development of the site (green belt) would probably only get us up one more level without moving. We're now at the highest level we've played at and this season will be a struggle for sure. We don't pay our players at all while others are putting in more than £1,000 a week into their playing budget to compete.
Today though, all that is gently nudged aside for the FA Cup. We travel to play the side we were promoted as runners-up with last season, Wellington. Except that as their pitch shares with the local cricket, and the FA won't let ties be swiched anymore unless it's exceptional circumstances, we are playing a further 27 miles away in deepest Devon. Non-league football, eh?
Spare a thought then for all the clubs in action today, about 350 of them in total. The £1,500 for the winners today will be a lifeline for some clubs while for others, they'll just give it to the players (fair enough, it's their cash!). Let's hope that for our sake, it's the former.
Welcome back FA Cup, I've missed you.
Well done, good luck but most importantly enjoy the moment. I, personally played upto and into the third round and each round was a fantastic buzz - the most memorable footballing experiences, when FA cup was king for any kid kicking a ball in the street .But for a lot of clubs at much lower levels, the greatest club football competition in the world starts this weekend, and so it is for me and a few others on here, maybe. I am secretary of a small club near Bristol who are in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, having won promotion last season to the Western League Premier Division. Our ascent line to the Football League would go...
Western League Premier
Southern League Wales & West
Southern League Premier
Vanarama South
Vanarama National
League Two
Except it'll never happen. Our ground is small and picturesque with views of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Welsh hills in the background but development of the site (green belt) would probably only get us up one more level without moving. We're now at the highest level we've played at and this season will be a struggle for sure. We don't pay our players at all while others are putting in more than £1,000 a week into their playing budget to compete.
Today though, all that is gently nudged aside for the FA Cup. We travel to play the side we were promoted as runners-up with last season, Wellington. Except that as their pitch shares with the local cricket, and the FA won't let ties be swiched anymore unless it's exceptional circumstances, we are playing a further 27 miles away in deepest Devon. Non-league football, eh?
Spare a thought then for all the clubs in action today, about 350 of them in total. The £1,500 for the winners today will be a lifeline for some clubs while for others, they'll just give it to the players (fair enough, it's their cash!). Let's hope that for our sake, it's the former.
Welcome back FA Cup, I've missed you.
Have a great day
Just got back from the game, having detoured to see my daughter on the way back.
The day was everything I hoped for and more, even after we went a goal down inside five minutes. Replied with a free kick just before half time, a penalty straight after the break and then the same player, our right back, smashed home another penalty five minutes from the end to seal the win.
So the club are £1,500 richer tonight, team spirit couldn't be higher and even the very difficult game scheduled for Wednesday, when we have 3 or 4 missing, has been postponed after our opponents drew in the Cup today.
Happy days!
The day was everything I hoped for and more, even after we went a goal down inside five minutes. Replied with a free kick just before half time, a penalty straight after the break and then the same player, our right back, smashed home another penalty five minutes from the end to seal the win.
So the club are £1,500 richer tonight, team spirit couldn't be higher and even the very difficult game scheduled for Wednesday, when we have 3 or 4 missing, has been postponed after our opponents drew in the Cup today.
Happy days!
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