FA Vase nightmare to Wembley dream for Dave King: Bilston Town and Gornal Athletic chase history
Dave King joked about having the “world’s worst” record in the FA Vase - until now - as he looks to create history with Bilston Town.
Both Bilston and Gornal Athletic will be aiming to equal their best-ever runs in the competition this weekend, with a place in the quarter-finals on the line and the prospect of being just two wins away from Wembley.
Bilston welcome Droylsden as they look to match their run from the 1992/93 season, in a competition that once became a nightmare for boss King.
“It’s no secret that I have the world’s worst record in this competition,” King joked. “At Tividale I had one win in seven years.
“You always look forward to the competition. It has been a fantastic journey, a fantastic ride, and we are here in February still talking about it.
“It was a standing joke at Tividale. I got the bonus points because I did alright in the FA Cup. It was terrible.
“But, you smile now, this has happened and it has been fantastic, long may it continue.
“Supporters tell me that if we win this we will equal the furthest. It would be fantastic for the club, it has certainly put Bilston back on the map.
“For everyone involved, including the supporters, they are unbelievable. It is my 35th year in football, and no disrespect to anyone else, but the supporters want success, need it and are brilliant. It means a lot to the community as a whole.
More than 500 supporters turned out for Bilston’s fourth-round win over Gresley Rovers at Queen Street, including visitors from Holland, who proved to be the lucky charm chairman Jay Morgan had hoped for.
“We are expecting similar, if not more, this weekend,” he said. “I mentioned to the players that we have a great opportunity to equal the best run ever.
“It would be monumental and show just how far the club has come in such a short space of time.
“Everyone should be rightly proud of what has happened. It has shown that we can do it. Whatever the result, we have to celebrate, it has taken us into a different dimension.
“It has really put the football club and town back on the map which is what we wanted.“
Meanwhile, Gornal Athletic travel to Hallen, near Bristol, of the Hellenic League, looking to match their run to the quarter-finals in 2012/13 and take one step closer to Wembley Way.
Boss Stuart How said: “There is a lot of excitement. It gives us a little added incentive.
“When you talk about it in August to the players it does sound a bit far-fetched, but ultimately if we get through this round we are in the quarter-final.
“We are under no illusiions of how difficult it will be. We will just embrace it, give our all and hopefully come out on top.”
Elsewhere, in the Midland Premier, Brocton host 1874 Northwich and Lye Town welcome Romulus, whI’ve Dudley Town travel to Studley and Tividale entertain Uttoxeter Town.
In the Midland One, Wednesfield welcome Chelmsley Town while Smethwick Rangers go to Stapenhill, and Birmingham OJM visit Allexton and New Parks while Cradley Town entertain Lutterworth Athletic.
In the North West Counties League Division One South, Wolverhampton Casuals go to Shawbury United while Stafford Town host Cheadle Heath Nomads and Eccleshall visit Foley Meir.
Hellenic League Division One title chasers Bewdley Town travel to Newent Town.
