The Heritage Quest: A Journey Through the FA Cup First Qualifying Round

The FA Cup first qualifying round. As the world’s oldest association football competition is having its heritage stripped away. I’m on a mission to embark on every level of it. Today we’re at 70 of Horsham FC, founded in 1881 and housed in the lovely little market town of, you guessed it. Stopped a commuter town due to its easy links to the further south and to London. But it’s quirky. This is actually a Bill’s restaurant. This party shop, despite the name, has stopped partying. And yes, they have a wimpy. We’re here for the FA Cup. And a team that produce some magical moments as recent as last year. The Hornets only played out a free free draw with Barnsley in the first round proper last year. And even though they lost, the replay progress the second round because Barnsley fielded and an eligible player. It’s a bit out of town, so we bust it for. That’s not the price of ticket. Only the golf course next door. The Hop O Stadium or Fusion Aviation Stadium or Camping World Stadium for sponsorship reasons, whatever it is now known as. Was calling the best new non league stadium in 2012. And you can see why. This is how you build a non league ground. The clubhouse is pretty cool too. Beer is cheap, the chips are elite. No, they really are. And even the volunteers are banner. Today’s opponents, Virginia Water sat two leagues below. Started well, but it Was really a case of the Hornets rising to the surface of the water with ease and absolute wealthy. All this very fitting for the first goal before total domination. Putting four past them mean Horsham’s FA Cup journey really starts here. Going new places, seeing goals are fun. Enjoying the roots of where football began. European football is great, but we have to protect our domestic football competitions at all costs. Onto the second qualifying round we go then.