Vase Semis set

Billericay Town player/manager, Justin Edinburgh today made the draw for the Semi-Finals of The FA Vase, in partnership with Carlsberg.

Justin should need little introduction to football fans after a career that encompasses over 200 games in the top flight with Spurs including winning both The FA Cup in 1991 and the League Cup in 1999.

Justin is currently in his second season as player/manager of Isthmian League Premier side, Billericay Town, who are this season celebrating the 25th anniversary of winning The FA Vase for a historic third time (1976, 1977 & 1979).

"Getting to the Semi-Final stage of the competition is a tremendous achievement and I would like to wish all the teams the best of luck in getting to The Final." he said.

The draw for the penultimate stage of the 31st season of The FA Vase was made at Tottenham Hotspur FC.

Vase favourites, AFC Sudbury eventually progressed through to the Semi-Final stage after needing extra time to beat Midland Alliance outfit, Stourbridge 4-1 at the weekend.

This is the fourth successive season that Eastern Counties Premier side AFC Sudbury have reached the last four and last season got to Birmingham City FC where they were beaten 2-0 by Winchester City in The Final.

They will be hoping that this is their year to finally lift the silverware as they entertain Northern League Division One side, Bedlington Terriers in the first leg of the semi-final.

A record weekend crowd of 1,220 watched as Hellenic League leaders, Didcot Town came from behind to beat Eastern Counties Premier side, Bury Town 2-1. Their reward is a home tie against Frome Town or Jarrow Roofing Boldon CA.

Frome’s testing trip to the North East, to play Northern League Division 1 side, Jarrow Roofing was postponed at the weekend due to a waterlogged pitch. This tie will now be played on Saturday 12 March.

The semi-finals of The FA Vase will be played over two legs on Saturday 19 March, and Saturday 26 March, with the overall winners to be awarded £6,000 each in prize money by The FA.

This season’s Final, due to be played on Sunday 15 May 2005, will be held at Tottenham Hotspur FC, with The FA Vase set to return to its ‘spiritual home’ of Wembley in 2006.

This is the tenth consecutive season that Carlsberg has been The FA’s presenting partner for The FA Vase. It forms an integral part of their support of football in this country.

Carlsberg is also The FA’s presenting partner for The FA Trophy and The FA Sunday Cup, highlighting their commitment to non-League and grassroots football.