Samuel Gardiner - Sports Journalism

Wands aim to conjure Cup magic Cray Wanderers manager Tim O’Shea has urged supporters to “bring their voices” as the club prepares to welcome League One promotion-chasers Stockport County to Flamingo Park on Sunday. The Wands are playing in the first round for the first time in the club’s 166-year history, following victories over Step 2 sides Maidstone United and Bedford Town, and O’Shea is under no illusions that the crowd will play a part in encouraging the players. “My message to the supporters would be, ‘bring your voices and enjoy the occasion’”, O’Shea says. “We want the players to react positively, we know that our band of loyal supporters will bring the atmosphere as they have all season. There’s going to be possibly 2,000 Cray supporters there on Sunday, all playing their part.” Cray come into this tie following an impressive 4-1 victory away to Brentwood Town in their previous Isthmian Premier Division match, a result that O’Shea believes will help his team. “It ...

Morgan ready for another taste of Cup history with Wanderers Very few Step 3 footballers get the opportunity to face EFL opposition in the FA Cup – but Frankie Morgan is about to do it for the second time. As Cray Wanderers prepare to face League One promotion-chasers Stockport County on Sunday, left-back Morgan is relishing the prospect of another big occasion, having been part of the Sheppey United side who reached the first round for the first time in 2023 before losing 4-1 at home to Walsall. “Opportunities like this don’t come around very often, I’ve been fortunate,” the former Charlton Athletic youth player told The Non-League Paper . “For many, the first round of the FA Cup is the pinnacle of where you’re going to get to. I was really lucky to get another chance a few years ago [at Sheppey], but I know some boys have never had the experience, so we’re going to enjoy it together in front of the TV cameras.” But Morgan is under no illusions about the challenge awaiting the...

The real value of an FA Cup dream   AFC Rushden and Diamonds booked their place in the first round proper for the first time since re-forming with a 2-1 victory at home to former EFL side Morecambe Every non-league club dreams of a significant FA Cup run. Beyond the increased exposure, prize money and larger attendances can provide a crucial financial boost. However, staging a major tie or organising an away trip brings its own challenges, meaning that a successful run can bring costs as well as rewards. AFC Rushden & Diamonds are a key example of this. The Step 4 club from Northamptonshire were rewarded with a first round trip to League One Burton Albion after a 2-1 victory over Morecambe in the fourth qualifying round. “It was our best day since forming, bar none,” chairman Rob Usher tells The Non-League Paper . “We had 12 days to get the ground ready – it's the hardest thing I've ever done as chairman, so it was an unbelievable feeling when the final whistle ...

  Harry Kane: From “too chubby” for Arsenal to Ballon d’Or great   2026 Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane as a 16-year-old at Tottenham   “He was a bit chubby, he wasn’t very athletic. We made a mistake in letting him go.” Those were the words of Arsenal academy director Liam Brady in 2018, talking about a nine-year-old kid from Walthamstow who had spent some time in the academy setup in 2002. The boy in question grew up a Tottenham fan, living just 15 minutes from White Hart Lane, but was dejected when he was released by Arsenal. “I just wanted to play football”, Harry Kane later said. “Every time I faced [Arsenal] in my career, I thought, ‘Alright, we’ll see who’s right and who’s wrong’.” That stint, on the other side of North London, was followed by a short trial at Watford, where he performed well against former club Tottenham, who decided to take a punt on letting him return to the club. More than 20 years later, Kane walks up the steps to the stage...

Curfews put Blues to bed ANGLE GRIND: Gary Abisogun scores the third for Chertsey. Photo: Andy Pearson (As seen in the Non-League Paper, Edition published 25 October 2026, under the headline, "Take That! Town break their curfew) Chertsey Town progressed into the second round of the FA Trophy with a comfortable 4-0 win in treacherous conditions at Isthmian North side Takeley. The hosts, who were competing in the first round for the first time in their history, had a goal controversially disallowed after seven minutes which would have given them a shock lead, as Charlie Heatley received a through-ball and squared for George Sykes to tap in, but the match referee decided to disallow the goal for offside after consulting with his assistant. The Curfews responded well, however, and Isaac Olorunfemi gave them the lead shortly after as Gary Abisogun drove down the right-hand side before cutting the ball back to the Chertsey number two inside the box, who took a neat touch to get beyond h...

  Five potential giant-killings in the FA Cup First Round Proper   Wimborne Town are one of several Non-League clubs hoping to upset EFL opposition The FA Cup First Round Proper draw was made on 19 October, throwing up some intriguing ties and giving Non-League clubs the chance to test themselves against Football League opposition. EFL clubs enter the competition at this stage, and while there are several all-Non-League ties guaranteeing lower-league representation in Round Two, the biggest stories could come from those hoping to upset the odds. There have been plenty of famous FA Cup shocks involving non-League sides over the years, and this season's draw has served up several fixtures where another upset could be on the cards. Here are five ties with the greatest potential for a giant-killing.   1.     1. Wimborne Town v Crawley Town The Southern Premier South side have been given a home tie against a side three leagues above in Crawley Town, b...