The FA Trophy is a competition that has huge prestige within the non-league scene. All of the teams situated in the divisions between the fifth and eighth tier enter the competition each year.
While some of the leading teams in the National League will be hoping to reach the Football League soon, for the vast majority of non-league teams at Step Four and above, the FA Trophy is the ultimate form of glory they can aim for.
32 teams remain in the competition heading into the fourth round in 2024, and a clear image is starting to form of the teams most likely to achieve a Wembley triumph.
Chesterfield could become first-time champions
Chesterfield are the outright favourites to win the FA Trophy for the first time next year. Many of the major bookmakers see the Spireites as the most likely team to secure the non-league’s greatest honour, including Bet365 who offer them at 4/1 to win the competition.
The team from the North West has been remarkably dominant in their National League campaign so far this season. They recorded an impressive 56 points from the opening 22 fixtures, and that level of dominance is predicted to also be expressed in the domestic cup.
Chesterfield have summer signing Will Grigg spearheading the attack and he is supported by another player with vast Football League experience, Joe Quigley. The pair managed 18 goals between them in the opening 23 fixtures of 2023/24 in all competitions.
It's too easy for Will Grigg 😮💨
— Vanarama (@Vanarama) November 25, 2023
The frontman has scored in 𝘀𝗶𝘅 successive games now for Chesterfield 🔥#TheVanarama | #Spireites pic.twitter.com/hPR2jKOHFS
The former League Two outfit restructured their overall team significantly over the summer to help secure their path back to the fourth tier. This has led to them emerging as by far the most dominant team below the Football League.
Winning the FA Trophy as well as the National League title could allow Chesterfield to write themselves into history as one of the great all-time non-league teams.
London teams battling to earn a short trip to Wembley
Bromley is positioned as one of the teams that could potentially upset the dominant Chesterfield this season.
The London-based team have consistently been the closest team to the league leaders in the National League title race, and that rivalry could be extended to the cup competition.
Bromley is offered at 8/1 to win the FA Trophy, and they have managed the feat already in their history, with a triumph at Wembley just two seasons ago. Much of that successful team is still present at Hayes Lane including Michael Cheek who famously scored the winner in 2022.
⚽️ FT: Bromley 1-0 Wrexham
— BBC Sport Kent (@BBCKentSport) May 22, 2022
🏆 Striker Michael Cheek’s goal wins the FA Trophy for Andy Woodman’s side at Wembley. #FATrophyFinal pic.twitter.com/uqUVyKSxmU
Barnet are another non-league team based in the capital that has a serious chance of capturing silverware this season. They are equally offered at 8/1 to win the competition alongside their London rivals.
The Bees are led by one of the most deadly forwards in non-league, Nicke Kabamba who netted 14 goals in his opening 23 appearances of the campaign.
Barnet, like Bromley and Chesterfield, have a prolific forward who can win games singlehandedly. Grigg, Cheek and Kabamba all regularly turn up on the biggest of occasions, and one of them will surely have a huge say on where the FA Trophy ends up this season.
There is of course always the chance of a significant underdog producing a surprise triumph in the competition. However, it would be a huge shock if one of the teams competing at the top of the National League does not go all of the way to Wembley and win in 2024.
