The first round of the Emirates FA Cup always presents opportunities to enjoy a rather unseasonal day in the sun in early November.
On this week’s NL Full Time podcast our focus was quite rightly on the famous competition; as well as the players, management and supporters of those ‘little’ teams making a big impact was a reminder that the FA Cup can help fulfil dreams for others too…
After the weekend’s ties, and before the Bracknell Town vs Ipswich Town game on Monday evening, as many as 18 non-league teams remained in the draw, with 16 of those from the National League.
Some favourable draws could see a healthy contingent of National League clubs in the third round, which is when the genuine David and Goliath match-ups emerge, ties like the 1972 Hereford United vs Newcastle United tie, which produced one of the greatest shocks of all time, and one of the greatest commentary moments of all time:
“Now Tudor’s gone down for Newcastle… Radford again… OH WHAT A GOAL, WHAT A GOAL!! Radford the scorer, Ronnie Radford!”
Those words have been heard even more recently, owing to the sad death of Ronnie Radford, aged 79, along with Hereford’s progress to a televised tie with Portsmouth. They also serve as a reminder of the boost they gave to the career of John Motson himself, and they have become genuinely iconic.
On a smaller scale, the same thing happened to our own Rob Worrall this weekend.
With no game for his beloved Aldershot Town, Rob was despatched by BBC Radio Surrey to Gander Green Lane, home of Sutton United. Now an EFL League Two club, Sutton has enjoyed being the underdog in the past, with their 1989 victory over First Division side Coventry City, winners just two years earlier a genuine moment of legend in the FA Cup.
Their run to the 5th round in 2017 and a tie with Arsenal, where the infamous ‘Piegate’ controversy overshadowed achievements such as defeating Championship side Leeds United, meant Sutton had experienced the upside of the Cup, but they were about to experience the downside, and Rob was there to witness it.
Late goals from Michael Fernandes and Francis Amartey ensured that a solid defensive effort from Boro turned the possibility of a replay into the dream of winning away to league opposition.
Rob spoke to Michael Fernandes after the game and was probably as eager to see the highlights of the game as Michael himself, his commentary being heard by those watching BBC2’s highlights show the following day.
Small though that contribution may seem, Farnborough‘s progress gave Rob a ‘moment in the sun’ too, and that’s what the FA Cup can do. For those of us who support National League teams or indeed any team that enters the competition, the dream of enjoying the spotlight for a short while makes the commitment and regular heartache worthwhile.
When fans of Farnborough watch the highlights back on the BBC website, it’s Rob’s commentary that will accompany their memories of a tremendous day, and a chance to live indelibly in the minds and hearts of Farnborough supporters.
It’s why we do what we do at the NL Full Time podcast, to be there for such moments…
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