Following the build up to the new season through my primary
news feed, KTFC Chat, has not been the most positive experience. As far as I
can tell from the deluge of pessimism, we have 7 players, a couple of loanees,
a manager who will be sacked by next month, a pitch that no one wants to play
on, a burger hut that’s too small and replica shirts stuck in Dubai.
Also, apparently everyone was certain we were going to lose our opening game 17-0 so I tuned out for my mental wellbeing and will check on the actual result a bit later. Hopefully we at least kept it to single figures.
Instead, in a form of diversion therapy I decided to focus on the opening round of this season’s FA Cup. The Extra Extra Preliminary Round. Thankfully a stage of the competition which we don’t yet know from personal experience, but scrolling down the immense list of ties it was sobering, gratifying or hilarious (delete as applicable) to see quite a number of old foes who faced elimination at the very first stage.
A total of 266 clashes saw 528 clubs battling it out on the first Saturday of August, with two abandonments, and already 147 teams have no further interest - including Corby (slight surprise) and Wellingborough (not at all). Elsewhere, other notable names (original versions or not) include former non-League giants Enfield, Northwich Victoria, Worcester City and Macclesfield. Worcester made the 2nd Round not that long ago, yet here they were losing to my local club, Malvern Town, who will be putting out the bunting after winning an actual tie for the first time in many years.
At the other end of the recognition scale are entrants in this year’s competition so obscure, even the most ardent groundhopper would struggle to locate them on a map – much to their fury and Tupperware boxes would be sent flying I suspect. Roffey, Mulbarton Wanderers, Litherland Remyca, Holyport, Rusthall, Tadley Calleva or St Panteleimon anyone? Trumpton and Camberwick Green could be slipped in and no one would notice.
Elsewhere in the draw, Penrith failed to make the most of home advantage against West Allotment, and went out to a row of tomato canes and cabbages. At least Harpenden fared better against New Salamis, and enabled their opponents to concentrate on being pizza toppings for another year.
It really is another world down there, like peering to the murky underwater depths where strange creatures exist and there is the odd sunken ship. An image which I hope we are not returning to when we enter this season’s competition, in search of glory or at the very least 3 precious goals. Meanwhile the minnowest of the minnows will continue to nibble away at each other, and we are safe to patronise them for a few weeks yet!
Now how did we get on at Fylde…
A lot of local clubs who wanted to be in the competition were denied entry because they didn't finish high enough in their division last year, which is plain stupid if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteIf the club has the facilities and are willing to pay the entry fee then what is the problem? Local Northamptonshire clubs at step six such as Rushden & Higham, Wellingborough Whitworth, Northampton Sileby Rangers, Irchester United, Burton Park Wanderers, Raunds Town deserve the chance to play in this most famous of competitions. Instead they get told of eff off by the FA.
Thanks Jeff. That’s answered a question that formed in my mind after bashing out this piece, namely why so many clubs I could probably dredge out of my memory weren’t in the draw, whereas some total no marks were. I wondered if they had simply decided not to enter, but on the basis it’s a bit like buying a lottery ticket, why not?
ReplyDeleteThanks Jeff, that's helped to answer a question that formed in my head after bashing out this piece, namely why clubs any of us could name weren't in the draw, whilst total no marks were! Seemingly the answer is they happen to have achieved step 5 status at the present time. I suppose the FA would say we have to draw the line somewhere otherwise the competition would need to start in July. Well why not, beats another pre-season kickabout.
ReplyDelete