The FA Carlsberg Trophy
First Round Qualifying
Saturday, 20 October 2007

140 teams will be in FA Carlsberg Trophy action at the weekend. Although this season's competition has only reached its First Round Qualifying stage, no fewer than 45 of those 140 clubs have played in a national final before.

Those clubs have appeared in at least one final of The FA Trophy, The FA Vase or the old FA Amateur Cup. And 35 of them did it at the old Wembley!

Gresley Rovers and Guiseley, who clash at The Moat on Saturday, actually met in The Vase Final in 1991. After the teams had fought out a pulsating 4-4 draw at Wembley, Guiseley won the replay 3-1 at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane ground.

Three of Saturday's Trophy ties feature a Trophy finalist against a Vase finalist. Stamford, Vase winners in 1980, play Matlock Town, Trophy winners in 1975 at The Vic Couzens Stadium.

Willenhall Town, Vase runners-up in 1981, play Hednesford Town, Trophy winners in 2004, at Noose Lane and Leatherhead, Trophy runners-up in 1978, take on Arlesey Town, Vase winners in 1995, at Fetcham Grove.

Finalists from the old Amateur Cup, defunct since 1974, include Skelmersdale United, Walton & Hersham, Chesham United, Hendon and Corinthian Casuals. ‘Skem’ were little known outside of Lancashire before they won through to the 1967 Final, but a colossal Wembley crowd of 75,000 saw them draw 0-0 with Enfield after missing a last-gasp penalty.

A more modest attendance is expected at Look Local Stadium on Saturday to watch Skelmersdale's away tie at Stocksbridge Park Steels, who famously won an FA Cup match 17-1 in 2002.