TheFA.com caught up with some of the most dedicated who will be rooting for their sides in the First Round Qualifying of the prestigious cup competition that gives them a real chance of national silverware.

Between them, they have clocked up more than 200 years of support for their non-league teams – and on Saturday, they will be cheering as loudly as ever for their sides to overcome the first hurdle in this season’s FA Vase.

Les Langdale, George Piper and Colin Gant must be among the most loyal non-league fans in the country having supported their clubs as far back as the 1920s.

Les has been involved with Cockfosters FC since the club was formed in 1921 and has never considered following any other side.

Ninety-six-year-old Les simply says: ‘They’re my team.’

Such is his dedication that he was presented with a long service award by The FA in May and his passion has been passed on to his grandson Jamie, who now plays for the club.

Les said: ‘I started playing for them as a young lad and I have held every office since then – player, secretary, treasurer, chairman and now president. My wife used to say I was mad!’

Club chairman Colin Bell said: ‘Although Les can’t come to many of the games these days, I can guarantee that the phone will go at ten to five on Saturday afternoon and it will be him wanting to know how we got on.

‘I can’t speak too highly of his dedication – it’s quite phenomenal.’

The Spartan South Midland Division One side haven’t had the best start to the season, winning one out of a possible 15 points so far, but Les is hoping they will get a much-needed kick-start on Saturday in The FA Vase.

Their campaign gets underway at Wootton Blue Cross.

Les said: ‘I’ve got my fingers crossed that they will chalk up a win on Saturday. I think they will have a job but they should be alright as long as they put on a good show.’

There could be no better way for George to celebrate his 98th birthday next month than by Tunbridge Wells FC making it through to the First Round Proper.

George, known as ‘Mr Football’ at the Kent Premier club, started playing for the team as a teenager in the 1920s and went on to become trainer and physio.

He said: ‘It’s a friendly club and the people that run it are top-class. They cannot believe the age that I am – I hope I shall be watching them when I am a centenarian!

‘I shall be there on Saturday. We’ve got Camberley Town at home. We had a wonderful win in The FA Cup last Saturday so I’m hoping for another win.

‘I hope we have a good run in The FA Vase because the prize money would certainly help.’

At 57, Colin may be the youngest of the trio but he is about to hit a half-century of support for Wisbech Town, who host former FA Vase winners Tiptree United on Saturday.

Colin has been a fan of the Eastern Counties Premier club since he was eight and went on to play for all the teams and is now a club director and secretary.

He said: ‘Wisbech Town comes first. My life revolves around it.

‘It’s my home town club and I love non-league football. I would rather watch Wisbech than any of the big Premiership sides any day. I think if they lost 10-0 every week, I would still go!’

Colin’s highlight was Wisbech reaching the semi-finals of The FA Vase in 1986 and 1987.

He said: ‘There was such a wonderful atmosphere at the semi-finals – the whole town was buzzing. It was sad to lose, but I still have great memories and it would be wonderful to get there again and win.

‘I think if we play like we can then we should win on Saturday. It would be a dream to have a good run in The FA Vase because it would bring in revenue which all non-league clubs need to survive.

‘Whatever happens, I will always follow them through the ups and the downs.’