It’s Vale versus Vale in the cup. That’s Castle Vale JKS, drawn against Castle Vale FC in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Vase, on 5th September. 515 clubs have entered the competition (years ago, it was called the FA Amateur Cup).
It’s JKS’ first season in the competition, and though they might think it is a huge coincidence to be drawn against the club with whom they share a ground on alternate Saturdays, in fact, the first rounds are drawn on a regional basis, so local clubs inevitably face each other early in the season. Castle Vale FC were runners up in the Midland Combination premier division last season, and will start as favourites in this local tie, though JKS have been attracting a lot of admirers with three successive promotions that have seen them rocket to premier division status.
Optimists will note that teams are only nine victories away from a cup final at Wembley on 9th May 2010, with £20,000 prize money for the winners. The last West Midlands side to reach the final was Tamworth, 20 years ago.
Whichever side wins the Battle of the Vale at Farnborough Road will have a home tie in the 2nd Qualifying Round two weeks later, against the winners of the tie between Wolverhampton Casuals and Pelsall Villa. The winners of that one will have to travel to Shawbury, or Tividale in the first week of October. The distances increase…. on the long road to Wembley.
Meanwhile, in the biggest cup in the country, The FA Cup, Castle Vale FC have been drawn at home to Goodrich (from Woverhampton) on 15th August. 762 clubs have entered that competition, 64 of them beginning with the letter C. Alongside Castle Vale, are Chesterfield, Canvey Island, Charlton Athletic and Chelsea…… but the bigger clubs don’t enter until much later in the competition.
1 Comment
July 2, 2009 at 9:13 am
Tremendous news – I must try and make the game.When we first got married we lived in Halesowen and I supported them and they lost once in the final of the Vase (against Rugby) but won it twice (before Tamworth – we were at Wembley to see Tamworth – they were lucky to draw there but won the relay). I’ve been all over the country to watch Vase matches – the family atmosphere at most places is excellent! Up the Vale! I’ m not taking sides!