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...

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".

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.

Game 9: Glossop North End 5, Marske United 2

Sixth Round Proper ~ Saturday 28th February 2009
Venue: Surrey Street, Glossop, Derbyshire
Attendance: 1,120

Distance travelled: 404 miles


There are some games that will stay with you for a very long time; as age takes its toll and memories fade, hours and hours of football will be archived to the dark recesses never to see the light of day again. But occasionally, one game comes along that is special, for a whole variety of reasons; these are the ones that you'll remember clearly, as if it were only yesterday. One such match took place yesterday, on the extremities of the Peak District. Played against a backdrop of rolling dales, crisscrossed by dry-stone walls, beneath the laden reservoirs of Valehouse, Rhoadeswood, Torside and Woodhead, blanketed by a heavy grey sky. In a town called Glossop, on a cold February afternoon, we were treated to a special game that shaped a truly memorable day.

It was a long day for me, but worth every minute. 200 miles via the M25, M1 and the Woodhead Pass down into Glossop, I was joined by Vase stalwart PB and my publisher and photographer, David Bauckham. David had travelled to my house from Eastbourne, so his day was even longer than mine. We were made to feel very welcome at Surrey Street by Haggis (press officer & match reporter), Neil (programme editor) and Ben (High Peak Radio) and many others that we chatted to throughout the day, including the marvellous Marske United fans. My Dad also made the short journey over from Cheshire; for someone that was born and bred in Glossop, this was even more of a homecoming for him than it was for me.

The basic facts about this FA Vase Quarter-Final tie will be written into the record books. Glossop North End won 5-2, with goals from Dave Hodges (2 minutes), Rick Bailey (12 and 29), Jamie Kay (59) and Sam Hind (90). Marske United's Ben Thompson and Craig Skelton bagged one each (21 and 61).

But there is much more to tell about this game than the mere sequence of goals. Let's start with the ground and the crowd. Over 1000 were packed into Surrey Street. This was my first visit, and I'm sure that Glossop won't mind me saying it has a rather ramshackle feel to it. Peeling paintwork, rusting corrugated iron, ageing concrete; Surrey Street has certainly seen better days. But let that not be a criticism; the old venue contributed immensely to the cup atmosphere and it was evident that a vast amount of hard work had gone on at the club to prepare for this big day with extra facilities provided. With all parts of the ground occupied it was by a country mile the biggest crowd I have seen on this FA Vase run. Both sets of fans were in good voice; Marske United fans were excellent value for money, marshalled by their 'bulldog' mascot. They sang constantly throughout the game and never lost heart, even towards the end of the game when the cup exit door was slightly ajar.

The game itself was enthralling and of a good standard. This was an end-to-end spectacle, and we were treated to seven goals. It could have been more. Even with Glossop leading 4-2 into the dying minutes of the game, Marske battled and never refused to lie down and the tension in the ground towards the end was almost unbearable. Glossop took their chances, of which they had many. They had pace in attack and strength in midfield and it was the speed down the flanks that exposed the visitor's fullbacks which was ultimately Marske's undoing. In this credit-crunched recession, you'll have to travel far and wide to find such great entertainment for a fiver.

With hindsight it's easy to reflect that Glossop killed the game off after only 12 minutes. In reality, it never really felt that way and there were times in the game when, if someone had suggested this was going to end 6-6, I would have struggled to disagree. Glossop exploded out of the blocks winning a corner straight form the kick-off and Bailey forced a good save from the Marske keeper Brendan Ledgeway. With the turnstiles still clicking, Dave Hodges opened the scoring when he reacted quickest to a loose ball in the area. Ten minutes later the scoreline was doubled. An accurate cross from Darren Hamilton was confidently converted by Bailey.

Marske enjoyed enough possession of their own. On 18 minutes, Thompson forced a good save from Ashlea Gotham and Marske won a corner after a momentary mix-up between Gotham and a defender. Thompson was proving to be a handful for the Glossop defence and he was rewarded on 21 minutes when he headed in a Derek Bradley cross. Marske were back in the game.

Glossop didn't react particularly well to conceding, and for a spell they rushed their long-ball game and they squandered possession far too easily. Just before the half-hour mark, Dave Young gave the ball away and Bradley chipped just over the bar from distance. A let-off for the home side. Glossop went straight up the other end; a long ball was taken well in his stride by Bailey who evaded two defenders to calmly slot home. 3-1 to Glossop and Bailey was really starting to impress.

The first half ended in a flurry of activity, so much so I can barely read my hurriedly scribbled notes. Both teams were committed to attack; Marske pressed and a good interchange of play between Thompson and Ross Diamond resulted in a fine effort on goal from Diamond. Gotham again saved well. In the dying minutes a scramble in the Glossop goalmouth had the Marske fans clutching their heads in despair; the ball then broke out to Hodges who sprinted away and put in a marvellous cross which the Marske goalkeeper fumbled to safety. Then straight back down to Glossop's end, another great cross, this time met by Marske's Glenn Wesson who headed down into the turf rather than anywhere on target. Breathtaking stuff. The referee blew for half-time, and it was time for us all to take a breather.

The second half was equally entertaining. Hodges was again playing very well on the left, and really started to panic the Marske right-back, Andy Raw. The No. 2 had a poor game, giving the ball away frequently; Hodges must take some credit for the pressure he applied. Marske changed to a 4-3-3 formation in an attempt to win more possession in the final third. This nearly paid dividends 50 minutes in when Andrew Swallwell had a shot blocked. But Glossop were once again swift on the break, and the heavy pitch was taking its toll on the Marske defence. On 51 minutes a mazy run from Hodges, leaving three Marske players in his wake, ended in a disappointingly weak shot. A minute later, a rising Hodges shot from a tight angle forced a great save from Ledgeway.

The Glossop midfield, in particular the excellent Jay Gorton, was now starting to boss proceedings. Bailey, Hodges and Hamilton were allowed much of the ball, and Marske were on the back foot. Just before the hour mark, Bailey set off on a weaving run, his pass inside found Hodges whose shot struck the foot of the Marske post. Moments later, Glossop worked the ball out wide to Bailey and Jamie Kay turned the cross in to make it 4-1. Bailey had now scored two and made another; he was already my man of the match.

All over for Marske? Not at all. Within two minutes, they pulled a goal back when substitute Skelton scored with a low shot. Marske still believed they could get something from the game; a superb double block by Gorton in the Glossop box prevented Marske adding to their tally. But, once again, back came Glossop and that man Hodges. By now, Raw was having a 'mare' of a game and I felt sorry for him; Hodges' driving runs were relentless. The end-to-end play continued; Marske shot over after a good move around the 70 minute mark. Glossop had a chance to settle the tie minutes later when a cross was arrowed in to a totally unmarked Dave Morris; Morris must have been shattered as he was barely able to jump off the ground and the ball sailed inches over his head and away from danger.

Both teams were now visibly tiring, but their commitment and desire drove them on still. Thompson flicked a header wide for the visitors with 10 minutes remaining and Gotham was forced to save at the foot of his post a couple of minutes later. Into the last 5 minutes, a sweet drive from Mark Swales clipped the Glossop bar. Glossop were hanging on; you could cut the tension with a knife.

With the Marske fans singing "you only need two more", with the clock ticking down, with Glossop nails bitten to the quick, there was time for one final twist. In the dying seconds, Marske were caught exposed at the back as Bailey found space to advance into the area. His shot rebounded off the post to a grateful Sam Hind who slotted home to send the Glossop fans berserk. 5-2 the final score. By 'eck - dramatic stuff.

And then there were the celebrations at the end. Fantastic scenes at the final whistle, the home fans spilling onto the muddy pitch to engulf their players. Glossop were through to the Semi-Finals of the FA Vase and the hosts were entitled to celebrate wildly. The reaction of the Marske fans was also top class. They stood to a man to applaud their own team's efforts, and were magnanimous in defeat. Marske United have enjoyed a wonderful cup run, and the massed travelling support were going to enjoy the day, whatever the outcome. Reports are filtering through this morning of how Marske fans congratulated Glossop fans, as they made their way out of Surrey Street, with handshakes and generous back slapping. A credit to their club; this surely is what football is all about.

If anyone had any doubts about the FA Vase, in terms of its importance, of what it means to clubs and fans, they should have been in Glossop yesterday. This was an occasion in every sense of the word, a day that will live in the memories of many. Unfortunately for Marske, it ended in a trough below the Peak; but for Glossop, they are still living the dream and there are pages of yet another chapter waiting to be turned. Wembley is almost 200 miles from Glossop, but it is so close now they can almost smell it.

Hold on to these very special memories Glossop, but at the same time leave a little room for a few more.

For more photos from the game, please click [here].

A Cod, A Cow Bell And A Pie Hut

There is a rather peculiar, and extremely unbelievable, story doing the rounds this morning. I heard it on the radio at breakfast, and it is about a mobile phone that was found in the belly of a 25lb cod. A chap from Worthing, Sussex, lost his phone whilst walking his dog on the beach and it turned up a few weeks later, still in working order, inside a fish which had been caught by a local trawlerman. The phone and owner were reunited when the fisherman phoned a couple of numbers to trace the owner.

This kind of story surfaces every now and again, and I have to take it with a pinch of salt (no pun intended); the only national newspaper running this story is 'The Sun', so therein lies a clue to its authenticity. These are stories of chance; the 'million-to-one' occurrence. The pensioner reunited with his false teeth after losing them 25 years ago; the chance meeting of a long lost brother whilst on holiday in Outer Mongolia; that oil painting you picked up at the local car boot sale for a fiver which was actually painted by your Grandfather's Grandfather a couple of centuries ago. People generally love these stories and use them as evidence that there are 'other forces' moulding and shaping our lives. Luck, chance, fate; whatever you want to call it.

Of course, what makes them sound spectacular is that they are reported widely, discussed, passed on, talked about and devoured with relish. The stories gather a momentum of their own. What isn't reported are the 999,999 other times that this kind of thing doesn't happen.

I have felt for a few weeks now that fate has dealt me a very kind hand. I'm off to Glossop tomorrow, my place of birth, to watch North End take on Marske United. I am so excited about going back to Glossop, you just wouldn't believe; since the draw was made, I have often found myself saying "what were the chances of that happening" or "I can't quite believe that I've ended up at Glossop". Having no control whatsoever where this FA Vase journey would take me, I'm still pinching myself that it is sending me, rather excitedly, towards my home town.

513 teams entered the FA Vase this season, so the likelihood of me going to Glossop is not really a 'million-to-one' chance. But its not only a '513-to-one' chance either, because many other factors have a bearing. Regionalised earlier rounds meant that I would only see teams from down South in the early stages; the chances of seeing Glossop were naturally much slimmer than, say, Banstead Athletic. Glossop still had to go and win their regional games to get to this Quarter-Final, against some very strong Northern teams. But for me to see them at Surrey Street, they did have to be drawn out of the hat at home, after already being put on my 'path' of the draw when they were drawn to face Bitton AFC in the last round. So the chances of me ending up at Surrey Street, tomorrow, were rather slim.

But looking at all the entrants to this season's competition, I may well be writing the same thing if I had happened across some other teams on my way to Wembley. AFC Blackpool and AFC Fylde (I spent 3 years at polytechnic in the Fylde and Blackpool area); Wick (as in 'Wick To Wembley' from last season); Runcorn Linnets (where by brother used to live); Morpeth Town (near to where by brother now lives); Newton Abbot (where my sister lives); New Milton Town (where my family holiday every year)...and so on. A visit to any of those and the now worn out phrase of "what were the chances of that" would have been aired yet again.

Who knows? One thing I do know is that it promises to be a great occasion tomorrow. We are down to the last 8 teams already, only two more rounds to negotiate before a Wembley appearance.

Preparations up at Glossop have been ongoing all week. A large crowd is expected as recruitment efforts around the town and High Peak are stepped up; an extra turnstile will be open, the clubhouse (opening at 1pm) now has a temporary extension to house everyone and the number of programmes being printed has increased tenfold compared to a normal League game. Fans are being encouraged to bring flags and drums and make as much noise as possible. Likewise with the Marske United fans; they will be bringing at least one drum, a bugle and a cow bell. Yes, a cow bell.

It sounds as if there will be a great atmosphere in Surrey Street. A couple of rounds ago, Glossop dramatically beat Stewarts & Lloyds Corby with a very late winner and the 'old fashioned' atmosphere inside the ground that day was, by all accounts, fantastic. The defeated Northamptonshire club later wrote to Glossop to thank them for their marvellous hospitality and also to say that was one of the best games, for atmosphere, they had have ever played in.

The Glossop players have also been given time to prepare for the game. The Vodkat North West Counties League allowed them to postpone a scheduled midweek fixture ahead of tomorrow's match. Meanwhile, Marske United didn't have that luxury and had a tough game on Wednesday, winning 3-2 at Birtley Town after being 2-0 down. The Glossop players will run out a little fresher.

And finally, one great piece of news for me is that Glossop will have a Pie Hut at the game tomorrow. For someone who loves his pies, I'm delighted. I don't recall ever going to a ground that has had something called a 'Pie Hut'. Wonderful. What were the chances of that happening? I'm off now to phone my friends to pass on this excellent news. Now, where did I put my mobile...?

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.

A Waiting Game

Glossop's Quarter-Final match on Saturday 28th February is in danger of being postponed, and there is little Glossop can do about it.

Chances are that the pitch at Surrey Street will be fine; Glossop are ready and waiting. The trouble is, they have no opponents yet. There is still one Fifth Round tie to be played; St. Ives Town v Marske United have tried hard to play their tie, but it has now been postponed several times. It is the winners of that particular encounter that should be travelling to Glossop next Saturday. After falling foul of the snow on 7th February, St. Ives tried to get the game played a week later on the 14th. That game was switched to the Sunday (15th). The third attempt was called off at the very last minute (see picture above) after an army of locals tried to get a frozen surface into a fit state.

But all in vain; a very late postponement (45 minutes before kick-off) meant that Marske United players and fans had already travelled the 200 miles from Redcar to Cambridgeshire. As a gesture of goodwill, the Marske United Chairman, Bill Park, bought all travelling fans a drink in the club bar. Markse United later discovered that St. Ives Town was already making arrangements for the Quarter-Final trip up to Glossop. Confidence or arrogance? Or stupidity? I'm sure Marske United have their own view on this.

The fourth attempt was due today, but the St. Ives surface failed an inspection. The tie will now be tomorrow, Sunday 22nd February, at 1pm, with the venue switched to Milton Road, home of locals Cambridge City. Fifth time lucky? Fingers crossed that this goes ahead, and there is a conclusive result. If the game is postponed again, or if it ends in a draw after regular and extra-time, they will have to go at it again next Saturday (28th February), the scheduled date for the Quarter-Final. And all the while, Glossop can but sit and wait.

Clear as mud? Or, dare I say, a muddy pitch?

At this level, fixtures can easily back-up for clubs. Without the benefit of under soil heating or unlimited funds to get games on, postponements at this time of year are a regular annoyance. Rearranged FA Vase games take precedence over League games and it is not uncommon for the rearranged games, or replays, to be played out on a Saturday rather than a midweek evening. At last week's game between Bitton AFC and Glossop, an announcement was made just before kick-off to the effect that, should the tie be all square at 90 minutes, extra-time would be played. If the game was still deadlocked after extra-time, a replay was scheduled for Saturday 21st February (today). This announcement made my heart skip a beat; today (in about 30 minutes in fact, must get a move on) is my son's birthday party. Thankfully, the game was settled last week and a potential divorce was conveniently avoided.

Of course, this kind of fixture bottleneck is not unique to the lower League competitions. A similar thing has hit the FA Cup this season; the Arsenal v Cardiff City Fourth Round replay was played last weekend in amongst the Fifth Round schedule; Burnley, who face either Arsenal or Cardiff City in the next round, had to sit and twiddle their collective thumbs. Arsenal won the replay 4-0; on the weekend of the Sixth Round of FA Cup games, Arsenal and Burnley will be one round in arrears.

So Glossop will have one eye very firmly fixed on tomorrow's events at Cambridge City. Only late on in the afternoon will Glossop fans know whether they can make, with any degree of certainty, firm plans for one week today. It feels as if it has been a long wait, and they may have to wait longer still.

Passionate People, Passionate Places

I am off to Newcastle. Off to the North East of England whose regional image campaign a few years ago declared that this corner of our nation is bursting at the seams with "Passionate People, Passionate Places". I have never been to Newcastle and I feel rather ashamed to admit that I have only ever been to the North East once, and that was last season on my FA Cup trail when I visited Teesside for the Middlesbrough v Cardiff City Quarter-Final tie. My brother has just moved there, so we have a family orientated trip up the East Coast line which will start at the crack of dawn tomorrow.

I regret to say that I am unlikely to get the opportunity to dip my toe into the ocean of non League football that the region has to offer. Family breaks away are great, especially when visiting a new place. But this kind of trip always comes burdened with awkward, uncomfortable thoughts that dart in and out of the mind. The sort of thoughts that jostle for attention and create a heady and uneasy mix. These sort of thoughts: 'too good an opportunity to miss' and 'maybe I could pop out for a couple of hours' jumbled up with 'my life would not be worth living' and 'that'll be me sleeping on the sofa tonight then'. A couple of days, away with wife and child, will be dedicated family time. Time that does not allow for an afternoon stood on a terrace bank, sheltered against the elements, admiring dug-outs or floodlight pylons. The old escape routine of "I'm just popping out for a pint of milk dear" is quite frankly a disaster waiting to happen. Has anyone ever used that and got away with it?

I'm struggling to convince myself that this will not unduly concern me on this weekend away. When I started this FA Vase journey a few months back, I felt that the chance of me visiting the North East for a game was high. Don't ask me why; nothing based on fact or logic, another one of those lower abdomen feelings that probably owes more to a dodgy Chicken Jalfrezi rather than one's own stomach actually being able to predict what's going to happen. Gut feelings are great, but are only quoted when that one-in-a-million chance is realised and a huge bucket of hindsight is at hand. But yes, I had a gut feeling that I would end up in the North East for an FA Vase game this season.

I used the past tense there though. I am gradually realising that this is an unlikely likelihood. I guess my original train of thought was fuelled by the unquestionable fact that football teams from the North East have, historically, fared well in the FA Vase and, more strikingly, in its predecessor competition, the FA Amateur Cup.

Teams from the North East who have excelled in the FA Vase include Bedlington Terriers, Guisborough Town, Newcastle Blue Star, Tow Law Town and Whitley Bay. But it is in the FA Amateur Cup where the reputation of a strong and vibrant non League football scene in the region was surely founded. Teams from the North East have won the competition a remarkable 21 times in 71 seasons, and this being a national competition mind. That's an almost 30% success rate. Bishop Auckland led the way with 10 wins. Roll off the tongue some of the other North East winners and they are recognisable names in the football world, even to those fans who barely look lower than the foot of the Premiership; Crook Town, North Shields, Stockton and West Auckland to name a few.

But doubts about whether the North East will call me for a Vase game this season are creeping in through the side door. Looking at the list of teams that remain in the competition, the representation from the region is not as large as I would have predicted. Still in there are Spennymoor Town, Marske United, Shildon, Whitley Bay, and Dunston Federation. Not many really; other recognisable names such as Billingham Synthonia, Chester-le-Street Town, Consett and Sunderland Nissan have already fallen by the wayside.

So I'm not as hopeful as I was at the start of the season. After the Third Round Proper, the competition opens up into the national rounds which means I could end up in any part of the country. Deep down, I really do want a trip to the North East but in reality I see that possibility stumbling clumsily over the distant horizon. This weekend's journey there may be the last for some time. If you listen carefully, you can hear a golden opportunity ringing that side door bell. Trouble is, I won't be able to answer it. As we travel on the train tomorrow I will be telling my wife about the passionate places that await us, and the passionate people occupying those places, but at the same time trying desperately hard not to include the words "Morpeth Town versus Ashington" in the same sentence. It won't be easy.