They Think It's All Over

My FA Vase campaign started at a rain–soaked Oakwood in Sussex back in September against a strong Chertsey Town side. As you may recall, Chertsey stormed into a 3-0 lead after only 5 minutes, only to be pegged back to 3-3, with the game ultimately, and controversially, abandoned at the full-time whistle. That game set the tone for the run, as I was treated to games of high drama, great entertainment and no shortage of goals.

In total, I saw 49 goals hit the back of the net, not including penalty shoot-outs, an incredible average of over 4 goals per game. Quite predictably, attendances started off low (e.g. 65 and 69) but grew steadily throughout the rounds, the largest (after the Final) being 1582 who packed into Glossop North End’s Surrey Street for the Semi-Final 2nd Leg. Fans' interest in the FA Vase really gathered momentum at the national stages and I was extremely fortunate to pick up with Glossop, my town of birth, from the Fifth Round. Any attempts to stay neutral from that point were futile.

I have seen some fantastic football and I consider myself well and truly converted to the non League game. At that first game in Oakwood I remember pulling up to the ground and being asked to pay £5. I thought that was the car park charge, and I was a little shocked, before I realised the single blue note I handed over paid not only for the parking, but also for entry to the game and the programme. I parked right behind the goal. A £5 entrance fee was the norm at most games. In all, I watched 12 matches and covered 1778 miles and it was worth every penny. In between the FA Vase ties, I managed to take in other non League games at Chertsey Town, Dartford, Egham Town, Hampton & Richmond Borough, Metropolitan Police, Staines Town, Woking and Windsor & Eton, plus an FA Cup game at AFC Hornchurch. Not a Premier League ground in sight.

The season has now drawn to a close for the vast majority of non League clubs, and planning is already well underway for next season. There will be moves up, down and across the pyramid structure for many; others will stay exactly where they are whilst some battle to even survive. But what of the teams I watched in this season’s FA Vase? Here’s how their League seasons panned out:

Oakwood struggled in Division One of the Sussex County League finishing next to bottom, just above Worthing United, winning only eight League games all season. Hassocks also had a difficult campaign in the same League, finishing three places above Oakwood whilst Arundel fared best out of the Sussex trio with a runners-up spot, only two points behind champions Eastbourne United Association.

Chertsey Town were amongst the favourites for promotion from the Combined Counties League Premier Division, in no small part due to the amount of money pumped into the club. They finished 3rd in the League behind North Greenford United and winners Bedfont Green as the Surrey outfit limped across the finishing line with a congested end-of-season fixture list and a squad depleted by injuries. In the same League, Banstead Athletic coped well with managerial upheaval to finish in a credible mid-table position. There was also a mid-table finish for Cogenhoe United; The Cooks from Northamptonshire ended the season in 9th place of the United Counties Premier League.

Bitton AFC, Marske United and Chalfont St Peter can all lay claim to successful seasons. Bitton’s FA Vase run left them playing catch-up in the League. But with a great run-in, Bitton clinched the Western Premier League title, topping the table above 2nd placed Frome Town. Congratulations to everyone down at Bitton. Marske United missed out on promotion from Division Two of the Northern League by two places, finishing in 5th slot. Going into the final few games of the season, Chalfont St Peter were still challenging for the South Midlands Premier Division crown, but a couple of costly draws and a defeat against champions Biggleswade Town resulted in a 3rd placed finish.

Glossop North End and Whitley Bay not only contested the FA Vase Final, and enjoyed a day in the sun at Wembley, they also enjoyed good League campaigns. Glossop were for a while also in with a shout at the title, but their League form suffered during their marvellous FA Vase run. The Hillmen came 5th in the Premier Division of the North West Counties League, won by last season’s FA Vase winners AFC Fylde. Whitley Bay missed out on a League and Cup double by only two points, the margin that separated them from Northern League winners Newcastle Benfield. Whitley Bay finished 3rd behind Consett.

So congratulations to Whitley Bay, winners of the 2008-09 FA Vase. Whilst the teams I watched in the competition had mixed seasons, it was a pleasure to see them all and if it hadn’t been for the FA Vase I would never have considered going to watch any of them play. My abiding memory is the warmth with which I was welcomed at all the clubs, no matter which part of the country nor at which stage of the competition. To the clubs, officials, volunteers and fans that I have met along the way, thanks for your support and friendship. It has been a real joy to share a small part of your season, and most importantly, to share your passion.

Roll on 2009-10, whatever that may bring...

Blubbing Like A Baby

There are few sports that impassions as much as football. From players to fans, managers to commentators, the game hauls you kicking and screaming, blubbing and weeping through the emotional mangle. The game tugs at every sense in the same way as compelling film, dramatic theatre or a gripping read. It matters not where you are; on the terrace, in the dugout, on the pitch, in the front room or in the pub.

In the aftermath of the emotional eruption at the end of the Chelsea-Barcelona game midweek, there have been a million-and-one flavoured reactions to the Stamford Bridge shenanigans. I can understand the huge disappointment of Chelsea fans and players. I can understand how painful it must have been to be so, so close to playing in the Champions League Final in Rome and then have the dream snuffed out at the death. I can also understand how Darren Fletcher must be feeling after his Rome dream was also snatched away by a poor refereeing decision in the other Semi-Final. And while the debate rumbles on about the over-reaction of the players, the inability to control high emotion, how the role models for our children should, or should not, behave, part of me struggles to be sympathetic for these guys.

At that level of football, at the pinnacle of the game, the players enjoy unimaginable wealth. They have their yachts, their Ferraris, their luxury apartments. They play at a standard of football that suggests, if they miss out on this year’s Champions League Final, they should get a reasonable chance to have another crack at it before their career fades. And they will experience other ‘huge’ games. There is no doubting their passion for the game, their gut-wrenching disappointment at seeing something they have worked so hard for come to nothing, but they have a couple of safety nets to cushion their fall.

I tried hard to feel very sorry for Chelsea, but I failed.

In the build up to the Glossop North End v Whitley Bay FA Vase Final on Sunday – it is here at last – I have been reminded how the emotion of football can really hit home. Whilst the Champions League stars seem so removed from reality, the players who ply their trade in the non League reaches of English football, and the fans who watch them, are not averse to exactly the same level of emotions. The joy, the despair, the ecstasy and the distress. For many who watch this level of football I would argue the emotion is closer to hand, it is easier to share and feel part of, and therefore it seems more real.

Pause and think for a minute how the Glossop and Whitley Bay players must be feeling this very moment. They are two days away from playing at Wembley. They do not get paid to play the game they love. This really is a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity. Likewise for the supporters and club officials. Who would have thought they would ever be able to say “I’m going to watch Glossop play at Wembley on Sunday”. Think also for a minute therefore of the players and fans of Chalfont St Peter and Lowestoft Town who lost in the Semi-Finals. Try telling me that they felt any less hurt, any less upset or dejected than those associated with Chelsea do this week.

This week I posed some questions to a couple of unsung heroes up at Glossop North End FC. Jonathan Haggart and Neil Rimmer are two of the volunteers who spent most of their spare time and waking hours working behind the scenes at Surrey Street. The latter stages of this FA Vase run has seen their workloads balloon to popping point. I asked them both how they felt about this FA Vase run, what it means for the club and the fan base, what the high and low points were. Their responses included facts about improving attendances, the financial benefits and the plans for ground improvements. However, the single most powerful message that pervaded the responses was the emotion that the whole FA Vase experience has wrought.

I asked Neil how he feels about Glossop’s FA Vase Run. “Proud” he said “for all the volunteers who started the season helping out a struggling step 5 club and who now get the reward of a trip to Wembley. For all the supporters who were supporters before Vase mania took over. For all the players that have played at Glossop this season because they love the place, and the beautiful game, and who now get the reward that their efforts and commitment deserve”. Here’s Jonathan talking about that win over Chalfont in the Semis: “And then we scored and all hell broke loose. The emotion I felt when Kelvin scored was overwhelming...but mostly it was bewilderment. There have been many days that I'll never forget on this run, but that moment will be vivid when I'm 102”.

And what about the big day on Sunday? “This is everything I wanted as a kid," explained Jonathan "but I was never nearly good enough as a player. To do things as an official...drive up Wembley way, visit the dressing rooms, sit on the benches, and maybe even step on the turf...amazing”. Neil will get to see his own son lead the Glossop team out at Wembley as team mascot. A truly special moment.

In a week where football fans around the globe were implored to feel for Chelsea, I was reminded that there is a much more worthy cause. I listened with moist eyes to a montage of Glossop’s FA Vase highlights on High Peak Radio around the same time Drogba was screaming and swearing into our living rooms. At the climax of the piece, as commentator Ben Price’s emotions exploded over the airwaves in reaction to Glossop’s winning penalty, I wiped away a tear in the same way I had done on that day back in early April.

On Sunday, when Glossop and Whitley Bay step out under the arch, emotions will be running high, but for all the right reasons. Come the end of the day there will be cheers and there will be tears. If the emotion of the occasion gets too much for me, I’m not ashamed to say that I will end up blubbing like a baby. Football just does that to you.

Game 11: Glossop North End 2, Chalfont St Peter 2 (after extra time, Glossop won 6-5 on penalties)

Semi-Final, 2nd Leg ~ Saturday 4th April 2009
Venue: Surrey Street, Glossop, Derbyshire
Attendance: 1582

Distance travelled: 404 miles

Brian Clough famously said "it only takes a second to score a goal". In a split second a game of football can turn dramatically. Yesterday, at Surrey Street, in the very last second of extra-time in the 2nd Leg of an FA Vase Semi-Final, Glossop's Kelvin Lugsden scored a most unlikely equaliser. In one fleeting moment, in an instant, a course of events was altered beyond all recognition. Chalfont St Peter were moments away from a big day at Wembley but then, in the blink of an eye, their dreams were snatched away. The tie went to penalties, Chalfont never recovered and Glossop's Rick Bailey converted the winning spot-kick to spark scenes of mass celebration amongst the home support. Glossop were now the ones in dreamland. In a single second, despair had turned to ecstasy, joy to heartbreak. Football: bloody hell! Don't you just love it?

To be frank, this wasn't a classic game. It was an edgy affair and the occasion, and all that was at stake, seemed to weigh heavily and stifle proceedings. But don't for one second believe that this wasn't entertainment of the highest order. With both teams locked at 3-3 after the 1st Leg, this really was a case of winner takes all. For the victors, a day at Wembley on Sunday 10th May was the prize and this fact alone provided a back-drop for an afternoon of high drama in the High Peak.

Whilst the 'Car of Fun' was being inflated up in Glossop, the 'Car of Idiots' was being loaded up with me, PB, Mackem and Posh Mate for a 200 mile trek from Surrey to Surrey Street. My desperate battle to retain a degree of neutrality whilst attending these FA Vase games was thrown completely out of the window by the time we had reached Watford Gap. The thought of seeing my home town club, Glossop, step out at Wembley was too much to bear and the mixture of excitement and nervousness was palatable. Copious renditions of 'Viva GNE' were starting to annoy my passengers before we had even exited the M25; by the time we reached the M1 I had been physically abused with some Chili Doritos and bag of Wine Gums.

So can I offer a neutral match report? I'll try. The records will show that Glossop stormed into an early lead, Rick Bailey firing home from the angle after only 2 minutes. Chalfont levelled on the half-hour mark when Terrell Lewis prodded in a loose ball. It stayed 1-1 to full-time, 4-4 on aggregate. Into extra-time, Chalfont scored what seemed to be the winner on 101 minutes, Charlie Strutton netting for the visitors. Then at the death, a dramatic twist on 120 minutes (plus stoppage time) that saw Lugsden score to haul Glossop back from the brink. Glossop won the penalty shoot-out 6-5, but more on that later.

In amongst all those facts, there isn't a huge deal to report on. In almost identical playing conditions to the 1st Leg at Chalfont a week earlier, a strong wind played its part. A fair proportion of the sell-out crowd were still entering the ground when Rick Bailey opened the scoring. Playing against the wind, a free-kick was thrown into the Chalfont box and half cleared. Hodges picked up the loose ball and slipped it into Bailey who slotted home with composure. What a great start for Glossop.

A few minutes later Chalfont claimed a penalty when Barry Brosnan appeared to have been pushed in the area, but the referee waved away the appeals. From then on in, neither team managed to get a grip on the game. A lot of the ball was in the air and the wind was the only winner. Martin Parker battled well up front for Glossop, winning many headers with his height, but lacked support. Chalfont, as they did in the first game, tried to outwit the conditions by playing their game at turf level, but made too many mistakes. It was a scrappy affair.

On 28 minutes Chalfont's Charlie Strutton found some space in the area only to be bustled off the ball and Ashlea Gotham in the Glossop goal tidied up. But two minutes later, Gotham was tested with a high ball into the box. The diminutive young keeper misjudged the swirling ball and fumbled in an attempt to pluck it out of the air; the ball fell to Terrell Lewis for an easy tap in. Not long after the equaliser, Gotham dropped a cross from Jerome Okimo but recovered well to smother.

As half-time approached, Glossop became more wasteful of possession and the visiting 'Saints' began to control the game. Their passing was a little more assured. On 39 minutes the visitors fired a ball into the box; Gotham followed the across his area in the belief it was going out of play. Brosnan reacted sharply to Gotham's hesitancy and got to the ball ahead of the keeper. Gotham was now out of position and a moment of panic ensued, only for the referee to rule that the ball had indeed crossed the line for a goal-kick.

The second half was dominated by much endeavour and no shortage of huff and puff, but little real quality in front of goal. On 53 minutes a flicked header from Dave Hodges was gathered comfortably by Chalfont's Mark Oliver. 10 minutes later, Rick Bailey found some space but fired straight at the keeper. Two efforts on the hour mark summed up the nature of the game. Glossop's Jamie Kay shot high and wide from long range; Chalfont's Lee Togwell's effort was worse, shooting higher and wider. His effort trickled out embarrassingly for a throw. With the clock ticking down, Glossop's Kelvin Lugsden headed over and Nick Allen sprang the offside trap only to slip at the vital moment. 1-1 at full-time.

So on into extra-time. Chalfont attacked Glossop from the off. On 93 minutes, Lewis shot from a tight angle and Gotham got down well to smother. Alan Hedley then had a free header (95 minutes) but his effort was directed straight into the arms of the Glossop keeper. With 97 minutes on the clock, Chalfont looked certain to score. A mistake from Gotham let in Carl Tasker whose goal bound shot was cleared dramatically off the line with a stooping header from Glossop's Danny Yates.

Then, with 101 minutes played, the almost inevitable happened and Chalfont got the breakthrough that they probably deserved. It was agony once again for Gotham who spilled a long range shot from Adam Louth straight to Charlie Strutton who gleefully netted. The small travelling contingent from Buckinghamshire celebrated wildly as the remainder of Surrey Street fell totally silent. With the tie ebbing away from the Hillmen, I thought Glossop had equalised at the end of the first period of extra-time. A corner was met by the head of Hodges. I was right in line with his effort and watched it sail towards an empty net only to see it flash inches over. Maybe it was just going to be Chalfont's day.

The second period of extra-time was agonising to watch. Chalfont defended well and seemed odds-on to cling to their slim advantage. With my neutrality strewn across the M1, I joined in the collective nail biting as Glossop's hopes of a Wembely Final receded with every passing minute. On 106 minutes Jamie Kay had a shot cleared off the line, but this only increased the sense of hopelessness for the home side. The Glossop players began to cramp up and became increasingly frustrated with their own below-par performance, and that of the referee who brandished a couple of yellow cards for reasons only he will know. With 120 minutes on the clock, Jay Gorton shot over for Glossop and at that point Glossop's last chance had seemingly come and gone. I wrote in my notepad "Game Over".

With almost an additional 3 minutes of time added on to the extra-time, the referee blew his whistle. A few of the Chalfont players rushed from their packed dugout to celebrate the win, but quickly returned, tails between their legs, when they realised that a free-kick had been awarded to Glossop. One last chance for the men in blue? Dave Young punted a long, high and hopeful ball into the Chalfont box. There was the briefest of a scramble before the ball fell to Rick Bailey, who seemed certain to score from a matter of yards. He blasted over, his shot taking a deflection off a Chalfont player on its way. From the corner, Balfe headed the ball back into the six yard box and then, in a heartbeat, Lugsden pounced to crash the ball home. Surrey Street erupted and Lugsden wheeled away with his arms outstretched, his team mates in hot pursuit. Unbelievable stuff. I have to admit that I celebrated like a loon and yes, there were a few tears blurring my vision.

There was just enough time for Lugsden to get booked for his celebrations and the final whistle blew. The late, late goal had breathtakingly thrown the tie into the lottery that is penalties. Chalfont went first; John Carroll, Edward Chamlal and Adam Louth all scored as did Mark Balfe, Dave Young and Tom Bailey for Glossop. In front of the packed Glossop end, Chalfont's Lewis Cumber blasted over only for Glossop's Jamie Kay to then have his kick saved. Carl Tasker and Nick Allen netted comfortably for either side; 4-4 after 5 kicks each and into sudden death. The tension was unbearable.

Jerome Okimo and Jay Gorton scored for Chalfont and Glossop respectively. Up stepped Lee Togwell for the visitors; Gotham pulled off a magnificent save, pushing the ball around the post. Now was the moment of truth; a physically shattered Rick Bailey slowly approached the penalty spot in the knowledge that his kick could take Glossop to Wembley. He coolly slotted home giving Mark Oliver no chance. Cue Glossop scenes of ecstasy, cue Chalfont scenes of despair.

I felt a little sorry for Chalfont; over the two ties they probably did about enough to warrant a day out at Wembley. But that is Cup football and that is why Cup football appeals so much. It turned out to be a quite incredible day, and the game will live long in the memories of Glossop and Chalfont fans alike. When I woke this morning, I thought for a split second it had all been but a dream. As I wrote this article I was repeatedly hit with waves of incredulity. Did it really happen? If I am dreaming, please do not pinch me. I will see Glossop North End, representing the town where I was born, walk out at Wembley next month. It only takes a second to score a goal but ask any Glossop fan this morning and they will all tell you the same thing: it is dreams fulfilled that last forever.

For all my photos from the game, please click [here].
Match highlights are available on TheFA.com website.

Everything To Play For

There is a small matter of unfinished business to be settled in a couple of days time:


The equation is straightforward. Glossop North End v Chalfont St Peter on Saturday at Surrey Street. A tie that is precariously balanced at 3-3 after the 1st Leg. Whoever wins will walk out at Wembley on Sunday 10th May 2009 to contest the FA Vase Final.

Not much at stake then. Need I say more?

Game 10: Chalfont St Peter 3, Glossop North End 3

Semi-Final, 1st Leg ~ Saturday 28th March 2009
Venue: Mill Meadow, Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire
Attendance: 1,185

Distance travelled: 48 miles

Listening to the radio on Saturday morning it was hard to believe that there were Semi-Finals of a national football competition taking place. The football planet inhabited by the big boys continued to spin like a dervish on its axis as the airwaves were filled with stories about the World Cup Qualifiers, Beckham's 109th cap, the League 1 and the League 2 fixtures. Sidelined in Surrey, I felt the need to check that the FA Vase last four games were still being played and could only imagine what the inhabitants of Chalfont St Peter, Glossop, Whitley Bay and Lowestoft were feeling as D-Day dawned.

Yet I needn't have worried. The sound of clicking turnstiles as we arrived at Meadow Mill, the tidy little ground of Chalfont St Peter, prodded at the relative tranquility of the Buckinghamshire surroundings. By the time the travelling blue and white army from Derbyshire had emptied themselves from vehicles into clubhouse, there was no doubting whatsoever there was an important game about to take place. It wasn't long before the first renditions of "Wemberleee! Wemberleee!" pierced the March air. This was game on. Once again, the FA Vase delivered another beauty; final score 3-3, it could have been 5-5 and a tie left delicately balanced with everything to play for in the 2nd Leg.

Strangely though, the game took quite some time to find a gear. The weather had a huge part to play, with a very strong (and cold) wind blowing down the length of the pitch. In the first half the home side had the advantage of the wind behind them, and Glossop struggled with their tactic of trying to hit their wide men using the long ball. The only incident of note in a scrappy first 15 minutes was a small hailstorm; I predicted a low scoring affair at this stage. Yes, I know, I am an idiot.

With the wind at their backs, Chalfont could afford to play a very high line; the visitors were caught offside on numerous occasions and Glossop's goalkeeper Ashlea Gotham failed to reach the halfway line with his kicks. Chalfont really had most of the possession and pressure and they opened the scoring on 21 minutes. A shot from the edge of the area was fired in, Gotham reacted well, but the ball fell to Charlie Strutton who prodded home. Glossop failed to string more than two passes together and were half a yard off the pace. The Glossop captain Dave Young struck a long range effort wide on 23 minutes, this being their first real sight of goal.

Chalfont played the conditions better; they managed to keep the ball on the floor and brought both wingers into play whenever possible, Terrell Lewis on the right having a particularly good game. Chalfont increased their lead on 32 minutes. A corner was dropped in right on top of Gotham at the near post, but the visiting keeper somehow contrived to drop the ball thus presenting the simplest tap in for Chalfont's skipper John Carroll.

Things didn't look promising for Glossop. The massed blue and white travelling support behind the goal had lost their pre-match fervour. The Hillmen were simply not at the races, being beaten by a quicker team and a stiff gale. Disappointingly, Glossop failed to change their approach and still tried the long ball into space behind the back line. The assistant referee's raised flag thwarted them over and over again. But then suddenly, out of nothing, Glossop managed to jam their foot in the door of a game that was closing shut on them. A well delivered corner from Jamie Kay was met with a thunderous diving header from Jay Gorton, right into the roof of the net. 2-1 with 5 minutes to half-time and Glossop had bagged a lifeline.

As the teams emerged for the second half one sensed that Glossop, playing with the wind, would now take control and it would be Chalfont St Peter who would struggle. But within 4 minutes of kick-off, The Saints had restored their two goal cushion. Once more, it was sloppy defending that allowed a Chalfont player to turn in the box and square the ball for Barry Brosnan to tuck a shot just inside Gotham's left-hand post.

This is just what Chalfont had needed and looked as if they would go on and dominate. Glossop, however, refused to rollover. The game opened up now; Glossop attacking with the wind at their backs and, at last, managing to get somewhere with their wide players exposing the home defence. Chalfont still looked dangerous and likely to add to their tally as they managed to break at pace on several occasions. Glossop were in a difficult position now. The next goal would be crucial and the visitors could not afford to concede again. Stick or twist? To Glossop's credit, they pushed on and took the game to Chalfont at every opportunity, in a brave attempt to try and get back into the tie.

On 59 minutes a mad scramble in front of the Chalfont goal saw the ball pushed away to Lewis, who continued to threaten. As he advanced on the Glossop goal, he was brought down. The resulting free-kick was blasted over the Glossop bar. A minute later Gotham horribly skewed a kick from a back pass; he was having a poor game. A Glossop fan behind me moaned "Glossop are not playing very well at all". I had to agree. The clock was ticking down and Chalfont looked as if they were going to hang on and take a welcome advantage into the 2nd Leg.

And, just as I thought that, Glossop were back in the game. That long ball to Hodges on the left, which had failed in the vast majority of the game, caught the Chalfont defence napping. This time, the assistant referee kept his flag down and Hodges ran onto the ball and with one touch coolly lobbed the very tall Mark Oliver in the Chalfont goal. The ball nestled into the net and Hodges continued running to the delighted Glossop fans behind that goal. If the game had ended there and then, with 73 minutes on the clock, I'm sure the travelling support would have happily taken a 3-2 scoreline back to Derbyshire.

But, quite amazingly, we were treated to a barn-storming conclusion to the game. With Chalfont's heads down, Glossop drew level with 11 minutes to go. Another long ball was the undoing of a tiring Chalfont rearguard and this time it was Tom Bailey who outpaced his marker to slot home. Dramatic stuff and Glossop were well and truly back in the tie.

But it didn't end there; both sides could have won it in a frenetic last couple of minutes. On 90 minutes, Bailey again broke through for Glossop only for Oliver in the Chalfont goal to get to the ball first. Up at the other now and Lewis sprinted down the right and Edward Chemial flashed a header inches wide. Edging into the 4th minute of added on time, the excellent Lewis again found space to cross, only for Chalfont's Adam Louth to blaze over. The last action of the game saw Glossop's Sam Hind reach the dead-ball line and cross into a swarm on on-rushing blue shirts. Some tired leg-swinging from the players in blue and some last ditch defending meant that Glossop were agonisingly denied a dramatic last ditch winner.

At the final whistle, the reaction of the Glossop players told its own tale; they stood to a man with their hands on their heads. They genuinely felt as if they could have won it at the end and it was Chalfont who probably came off the pitch the most relieved. For me, PB and Mackem, another marvellous afternoon's entertainment.

This was a very good game between two committed teams, but I must admit the atmosphere seemed a tad muted, even with such a large and enthusiastic crowd inside Mill Meadow. Maybe the strong wind carried the noise off over the hills? Perhaps the very open ground dampened the sound of the support? It is an understatement to say I am very much looking forward to the 2nd Leg at the more compact Surrey Street where there is everything to play for and where there promises to be an electric atmosphere in front of a sell out gate.

I'm sure this FA Vase has another helping of tension, nail biting action and excitement in store. Already the mind games have started; Danny Edwards (the Chalfont St Peter manager) has declared that Glossop "will be favourites so the pressure will be on them". The good news is this: there isn't long for us all to wait to find out.

For more of my photos from the game, please pop over [here].

Semi-Finals Day Is (Almost) Here

At last, the day of the Semi-Finals is almost here. That First Qualifying Round game at Oakwood last September is but a distant memory. 6 months, 9 games and 1268 miles later, I am off to Chalfont St Peter tomorrow with my good friends PB and Mackem. 280 miles north, Whitley Bay will be hosting Lowestoft Town in the other Semi. At opposite ends of the country, fans from four non League clubs will now being getting really anxious and excited in equal measure. Nothing will be decided tomorrow, as 2 legs need to be negotiated, but even so...Wembley is a matter of 180 minutes away. Deep breaths all round.

The town of Glossop has gone FA Vase barmy, and I am reliably informed that football fever has taken its grip. The local newspapers are now giving tomorrow's game in Buckinghamshire front and back page coverage, even the Manchester Evening News has got in on the act. Ticket sales for the home leg on 4th April have been crazy, and the local press are reporting that they have all but been sold, over 1000 going in the first few days. Ahead of tomorrow's game, some news from the last few days:

1. The G.N.E. Bitter. This is great. The local Shaws Brewery has produced a special ale to celebrate Glossop's Semi-Final games. They have called it 'G.N.E. Bitter' and it has been well received. Some ingenuous Glossop North End fans are working out how to smuggle a keg or two onto the coach on Saturday. I look forward to trying some! Thanks to Mandy at the Star Inn for the photo above.

2. The Glossop View. I listened with interest after the Semi-Final draw when the Glossop manager, Steve Young, said that he was disappointed with not being at home in the 1st Leg. This a strange thing to hear as the majority of managers and coaches up and down the land normally prefer to be away in the 1st Leg; go to 'their' ground, shut up shop and finish them off at home in the 2nd Leg. Young's take on this was quite revealing; he explained that clubs at this level in the FA Vase really know nothing about each other. His plan was to shock Chalfont in the first game, and he would have preferred home advantage first to execute this plan. By the 2nd leg, they will know far more about each other and there will be no element of surprise. Young still intends to use the shock tactics tomorrow: "It's important that we go to Chalfont looking to win".

3. The Chalfont View. Chalfont have been a little more reserved in their build up to the game. They have a very young team (average age 20) and are based in a part of the country that is not traditionally a hotbed of football. They play in front of crowds of 75-80 but are expecting closer to 1000 tomorrow. Chalfont St Peter FC are a real community club and over the past 8 years or so, since the current Chairman Denis Mair took over, they have worked hard to build a solid club infrastructure and have developed a sound coaching set up. They do not pay their players. They have been favourites to win the FA Vase ever since the Fourth Round, a tag they are keen to dismiss. Coming from a small community they have had less coverage than other teams in the competition and they believe they are underdogs for the tie. The Chalfont manager, Danny Edwards, has a pragmatic view: "It will all come down to who adjusts and copes best with the pressure".

4. The 'W' Word. I am intrigued to understand how both sets of players, being so close to Wembley, actually feel at the moment and cope with this "pressure" that Edwards talks about. How do they control their nerves, how do they channel their excitement, how do they keep their feet on the ground? Can the pressure be simply too much? I put these questions to two Glossop players, captain Dave Young (son of manager Steve) and Rick Whelan. Both were very clear on this subject; their manager keeps them in check. Using the old cliché, they really do take one game at a time and are still in the hunt for League honours. The manager has them well focused and ensures that their feet are firmly nailed to the floor. Young believes that "whoever conquers their nerves will go through" and the manager has worked hard to ensure the players do not get carried away with things. The word 'Wembley' is well and truly banned amongst the North End players and coaching staff. Mention the 'W' word and a swift £5 fine follows. I wonder how big the kitty is?

5. Prediction? Talking of a kitty, throughout this FA Vase I and my friends have had small wagers to predict the scoreline of games we have been to. In the early rounds, PB seemed to scoop the kitty every time. But after any of us failed to get the score correct at Bitton AFC (2-0 to Glossop) and more understandably at Glossop (5-2 against Marske United), for tomorrow's game there is a double-rollover at stake. On this blog I have never predicted scores, in an effort to maintain an air of neutrality. A bit like Switzerland. To keep with tradition I'm not going to tell you want scoreline I have predicted for tomorrow. However, knowing our prediction skills, and the total unpredictability of this wonderful FA Vase competition, I would guess that we may have another rollover for the Wembley Final in May.

As Paul Gascoigne once said: "I don't make predictions and I never will".

A Ticket To Ride

A smidgen less than weeks to go to the Semi-Final 1st Leg at Chalfont St Peter, and plans for both legs are well under way. The big topic of conversation since the draw for the Semis is whether entry to either games, or both, will be by ticket only. It seems strange, after feeling conspicuous in gatherings of under 100 in this season's FA Vase, that this subject is even up for discussion. But early last week Glossop made an announcement that their home tie, the 2nd Leg on 4th April, would indeed be an all-ticket affair. All of a sudden we are talking about demand possibly outstripping availability, and for the first time on this run I felt that awful pang of concern; would I get a ticket for the game? Would this season's road to Wembley falter, trip and stumble at the very last hurdle?

The answer to those questions: I really don't know yet.

Glossop North End have imposed a capacity of 1588 for the 2nd Leg, and this FA Vase run has sparked so much interest in North Derbyshire that it is likely that many more than that would have turned up. Glossop had little option but to make it all-ticket; if the 'sold-out' signs are up on the day of the game, then there will be no entry for anybody without a ticket. Not bad for a side whose home gates average around 200, with only 70 paying at the turnstile for a midweek League encounter with Winsford United back in October.

Glossop fans are now eager to know what the ticket sale arrangements will be, and understandably so. As I write, details are not yet known. There is an increasing sense that there will be a big clamor for tickets and some fans could miss out. For fans who live at the opposite end of the country from Glossop, there is a growing fear that come the scramble for tickets they could be the ones at the back of the queue. This is no doubt a not unusual feeling for fans of League clubs where ticket rationing happens a little more frequently; my guess is that Glossop fans may never have encountered this before.

For the game in two weeks at Chalfont, the picture is somewhat clearer. That will not be all ticket - the capacity at Mill Meadow is over 2500, so the Buckinghamshire club has announced that fans will be able to pay on the gate. An entry fee has also been set at £8 (£4 for concessions), which will be the highest we will have seen in this FA Vase; still not bad value! Having said that, there is some confusion between clubs as it was initially reported that Chalfont would be charging £10 on the day. Still not unreasonable for a Semi-Final, but a significant enough hike in cost to cause debate in some quarters.

For me I would be happy to pay £10; I have felt spoilt on this FA Vase run, paying no more than £5 for any match and that price, at some of the earlier games, included a programme and car parking. My travel costs will also be minimal for the 1st Leg game; it will be a mere 24 miles from door to door which will make for an extremely short and leisurely journey. One of the Glossop players, who has really impressed me in the two games I have seen, is Dave Hodges. A source at the club told me that Hodges was delighted with the Chalfont draw; he lives in Westminster, London and he will be grateful for only a short tube journey on the day. He travels north for every Glossop game, impressive dedication at this level of football; if I was wearing one, I'd take my bobble hat off to him.

The Glossop fans will have a longer journey and they are reserving tickets of a different kind for the 1st Leg. Coaches have been booked - an 83 seater plus plans for a second, 50 seater - and the travelling contingent are booking up; £25 secures a ticket to ride. It will be interesting to see how many Glossop fans make the trip; Chalfont have an option on 300 tickets for their trip north in the 2nd Leg; if I was a betting man, I would guess that Glossop fans travelling to the 1st Leg would exceed that number. Chalfont have already announced that they will be producing a bumper, 72 page programme for the 1st Leg, to which I have been asked to write a small piece. They will be printing only 500 copies and expect to sell out.

Much still has to be sorted, and these small clubs are not necessarily geared up for this amount of organisation. Chalfont St Peter and Glossop North End would not have it any other way - only one step away from Wembley - but dedicated teams of hard working volunteers are toiling behind the scenes to ensure that both Semi-Final ties run smoothly. It is going to be a very busy few weeks for both clubs, but well worth all the effort.

All I have to do in the meantime is keep my fingers, and everything else, crossed in the hope that I can get a ticket for the 2nd Leg. But before that, a trip to Chalfont awaits.

Football Plus A Little More Football

A week on from the fantastic game at Glossop, and I've now had time to calm down a little and take a few things on board. It has been a very busy week for me, mainly at work but also at home. I was so shattered yesterday evening – both mentally and physically – that by the time I had got my son to bed, and my wife was out partying with friends, I was ready for bed myself. 9pm on a Saturday evening. How sad is that? After a good night’s sleep, it is time now to put a few things into perspective:


1. Glossop In The Semi-Finals! Stating the obvious I know, but that really does sound good. Imagine what the Glossop fans must be feeling; a whole raft of emotions coursing through their bodies. 5-2 against a strong Marske United side was a great result, but the thing that stood out for me was the performance. The Glossop team really do have some strong players, and in the two games I have seen them play I have been impressed with a number of them; David Hodges, Ashlea Gotham and Rick Bailey to name but three. The Hillmen are riding high at the moment; their fans must be besides themselves, praying they can negotiate the final hurdle and grace Wembley.

2. It is Chalfont Next. Yesterday, Chalfont St Peter and Needham Market played out their Quarter-Final replay. After 90 minutes, it was 0-0. After extra-time, it was 0-0. After 5 penalties apiece, it was 5-5. Chalfont scored the first sudden-death spot-kick, but then Needham's Jon Sparkes missed and that was that. Chalfont St Peter v Glossop on March 28th, the return leg at Glossop one week later.

3. Tickets Please? There was a huge crowd at Glossop for the Markse game. The inevitable questions about the Semi-Final games have already started. Will the games be all-ticket? Will they be moved to bigger grounds? (AFC Fylde did this in last season’s Semi-Final). I think we won’t know the answers to these questions for a few days yet, but I really hope that the games, particularly the second leg in Glossop, stay at the club’s home grounds. It just won’t be the same if it moved to a bigger, vacuous venue. Let’s save that scenario for Wembley.

4. A Little More Football. Away from the FA Vase, there is no avoiding football. My son has signed up with Chertsey Town U9s and he had training on Friday night; I played in a game of ‘kids v parents’ at the end of the session, and after a day of playing golf in impossibly boggy and waterlogged conditions, this almost killed me. Blessed with no footballing skills whatsoever, trying to control a ball as ten ‘wasp-like’ 8 year olds swarm all over you is impossible. Especially for an old crock like me. Saturday morning my son was then involved in a 1-0 defeat against league leaders AFC Brooklands. It was a close tense game, and I’ve never been so nervous watching a match. Despite the defeat, it was a great team effort and my son won 'Best Effort' award, for the second week running. I maybe a crocked Dad, but I’m also a proud Dad.

5. Even More Football. Now my son is the proud owner of the full Chertsey Town kit and tracksuit, and is a fully fledged member of Spencer Day’s revolution at Chertsey Town, he can now get into their home games free of charge. I and a friend took our respective offspring along yesterday to Alwyns Lane to see Chertsey Town beat Badshot Lea 2-0. Chertsey still have an outside chance of promotion from the Combined Counties Premier League and are chasing table toppers Bedfont Green. In the few months since I saw Chertsey Town lose at Arundel in the FA Vase, they are a noticeably improved side. With Spencer Day’s money improving the club facilities and now trickling down through the youth structure, the future looks bright at Chertsey.

6. Semi-Final Plans. Arrangements are now underway for the next FA Vase game, which is 20 days away. The Glossop fans are sorting out their scarves, flags, musical instruments, songs and transport for their long journey down to Buckinghamshire. I have yet to make contact with the Chalfont club or fans, but I’m sure they are still celebrating after yesterday’s nail biting win. For me it will be a short hop around the M25, 30 minutes at the most. Time for me to chill today and relax with my family; the toughest decision I’ll have this Sunday is choosing which pub to visit near Chalfont St Peter from the ‘Good Pub Guide’. It’s a hard life.

Semi-Final Draw

Waiting for the Semi-Final draw to be made today, I couldn't help wondering whether there would be another 'balls-up' (no pun intended) from the FA and how anything could possibly go wrong with only five teams left in the competition. Mistakes are so frequent on their website they are now to be expected. It must be highly embarrassing for the FA, but no longer newsworthy. But today they excelled themselves. This is the message that appeared at lunchtime on their site:

"The draw has been made for the Semi-Final of The FA Vase, with last year's losing Finalists Whitley Bay being drawn out to face 2002's winners Whitley Bay".

Add to that the fact (as I write this on Monday evening) they still have the Needham Market v Chalfont St Peter result from Saturday’s Quarter-Final as 0-0. The game actually ended 1-1. For the game I was at, they report that Ben Thompson scored two goals for Marske United (both in the 23rd minute?!) when in fact he only scored one.

Laughable.

Anyway, the actual draw has sent Glossop North End to either Needham Market or Chalfont St Peter in the Semi-Final 1st Leg on Saturday 28th March. The 2nd Leg at Glossop will be on Saturday 4th April. The other Semi-Final pairs Whitley Bay with Lowestoft, a repeat of last season's Semi-Final.

More reaction from me on this draw - and the logistics of Whitley Bay playing themselves - later in the week.

Marske United

The Fifth Round of this season's FA Vase was finally completed today when Marske United won 3-0 against St. Ives Town at Cambridge City's ground, with goals from Wilson, Thompson and Swailes (whilst the FA website incorrectly reports that Diamond, Newton and 'Swales' scored...good grief...)


Next Saturday's Quarter-Final line up is now complete:

Whitley Bay v Biggleswade Town
Lowestoft Town v Bideford AFC
Needham Market v Chalfont St Peter
Glossop North End v Marske United

Glossop will therefore host Northern League Division Two outfit Marske United at Surrey Street on 28th February 2009. Kick-off 3pm.

That leaves just enough time for me to plan my trip, put some petrol in the tank and set the Sat Nav to "home". I can't wait.