18 August 2007
VIDEO: The FA Cup - Tiptree 2-2 Sawbridgeworth

Tiptree and Sawbridgeworth fought out a 2-2 draw in the Extra Preliminary Round tie in Essex.

The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
Preliminary Round
3pm, Saturday 1 September 2007
Winning clubs receive £1,000
Click here for fixtures

Of all the teams lining up in this weekend's FA Cup First Preliminary Round, few have as much FA Cup history as Corinthian-Casuals.

The Tolworth based team take on Deal Town at their King George's Field ground on Saturday.

At the beginning of the last century Corinthians were the most famous amateur team in the world, with their motto of fair play and strict anti-professional outlook earning them many fans - including a Sao Paulo based team who decided to take their name.

As amateurs they did not enter any league competitions, with the FA Cup the only competition they contested, and they regularly proved more than a match for top flight sides.

In 1926, 56,000 people saw them suffer a narrow defeat by Newcastle - who won the first Division that year - and in 1930 they took Millwall to two replays in the third round, with a total of 135,000 watching the three games.

Unfortunately the club's horizons have changed somewhat since those heady pre-World War II days and, according to Rob Cavallini, author of 'Play up Corinth! A History of the Corinthian Football Club 1882-1939', a crowd of over 100 would be a success on Saturday.

"Corinthians used to live for the FA Cup," explains Cavallini.

"We've had some great star players turn out for us in the competition over the years, including Sky commentator Martin Tyler, former England cricket captain Alec Stewart, and the leader of Wimbledon's 'Crazy Gang', Dave 'Harry' Bassett.

"We used to draw huge crowds, but the club has hit hard times in more recent years - in fact, the last time we won a game in the FA Cup was way back in 2001!

"Like every small club we live on the edge financially, and when we went on a little cup run in 2001 it brought in £7,500 - enough to rebuild a stand to allow us to get promoted.

"A club with a history like ours can never forget what the FA Cup means, and every year we get excited about it. And I'm confident as well - I think we will win 2-1!"

And Tyler, who has commentated on every FA Cup Final since 1990, believes that clubs such as Corinthian-Casuals thrive on the magic of the FA Cup.

“I was extremely fortunate to play for such a fantastic club with such wonderful principles,” said Tyler.

“We always took it seriously and I’m sure that everyone at the club still does, and it is always special to be given the opportunity to play in the FA Cup, as it’s what you dream of as a kid.

“To all non-league players, staff and fans the first preliminary round is a special day, and I wish Corinthian-Casuals every success for Saturday.”