The story behind Tadley Calleva as they look to make Emirates FA Cup history

Combined Counties Premier Division South side Tadley Calleva FC will bid to make club history this Saturday by reaching the Emirates FA Cup third round qualifying for the first time.

Last season, Tadley defeated Steve Claridge’s Weymouth Town – a side two leagues above them – by 4-2 live on the BBC, to secure a second round qualifying spot for the first time before losing to Bracknell Town.

This season, history has repeated for Tadley as they have reached the same stage once more after defeating Bemerton Heath Harlequins, Hamble Club and Laverstock & Ford.

Now standing in the way of a team featuring college students, office workers, tradesmen and PE teachers are Gloucestershire-based Southern League Division One South side Bishops Cleeve, who sit one step and tier above Tadley in the football pyramid.

The town of Tadley sits between Basingstoke and Reading on the Berkshire-Hampshire border, with the club name acknowledging the early 2000s amalgamation of Calleva Boys Club into the club with ‘Calleva’ referencing Tadley’s proximity to the Roman town of ‘Calleva Atrebatum’, which features an amphitheatre and some of the best-preserved Roman town defences in England.

The club badge includes a Roman Centurion helmet and crossed ‘Besom’ brooms, highlighting Tadley’s centuries-old broom-making tradition which has links to the club.

Arthur Nash was chairman of Tadley FC when it was reformed in 1989 and comes from a family who have been making brooms for over 300 years. Granted a Royal Warrant in 1999 by Queen Elizabeth II to produce brooms for the Royal Family, the family have also supplied brooms for the Harry Potter films.

Arthur’s skills have now passed down to son Bradley, who played for the club for two decades, and who now holds a warrant from King Charles III which is proudly displayed at the Nash family workshop situated down the road from Tadley’s Barlows Park ground.

And everyone connected with Tadley will be hoping that the club will sweep aside their opposition this weekend to make history, including club captain Jordan Goater who joined Tadley in 2019.

“Beating Weymouth was the best experience I’ve ever had on a football pitch and it will be hard to top,” said the 26 year old.  

“But to go to that next, historic step and beat Bishops Cleeve would be huge for us as a squad, as management, as an entire club – it would just be unbelievable, incredible.

“You're playing in the most famous cup competition in the world, so that alone is something, but we've got nothing to lose. It’s a one-off game and anything can happen. We’re a match for anyone on our day.

“It's about making sure we give the best account of ourselves; that we do everything we possibly can on that pitch to win and get through to that next round.”

Manager Joe Lawler oversaw last season’s run and is no stranger to making FA Cup history having helped Hartley Wintney reach the fourth round qualifying in 2013-14 as assistant to Ben Dillon.

Lawler and Dillon moved to Tadley as joint managers in October 2021, transforming a side bottom of the league after ten games into regular play-off contenders before Lawler took over in 2024.

Influenced by his fellow Liverpool-supporting grandfather, Lawler listened to stories about Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and Kenny Dalglish and watched the teams of Roy Evans, Rafa Benitez and Jurgen Klopp, as well as Pep Guardiola and those in the Premier League.

“I try and take as much as I can from those managers and teams without trying to replicate too much,” says Lawler, about his managerial style.

“But ever since I’ve been at Tadley there has always been that underdog mentality as a town, as a football club, and I strive on that.

“We want to go as far as we can as Tadley, but we also want the boys to perform to their highest standard as the FA Cup shines a light on the players.

“Every year I say to them: ‘The FA Cup isn't going to make or break our season, but it can be massive for you’. It’s great for the players to play in it, against higher competition, teams from different leagues and in front of different crowds - it’s a wonderful competition.”

So how do Tadley pull-off another FA Cup giantkilling for the second season running?

“We always look to play attacking football, be in the ascendancy and try and put the other team under pressure,” he says. “But Bishops Cleeve are a step above us so it will be a difficult game. We don't know too much about them, but sometimes that isn't too bad because the pressure is off so you go into it and play your game. I have full belief in my players.

“It would be massive for the club. At this round and the earlier ones, I don't think people quite understand how much that prize money means to a club like Tadley.”

One person who does understand what that means is Tadley chairman Sandy Russell, who says the progression of the club off the pitch has been crucial for progression on it.

Having moved to Tadley from Scotland in 1987, Russell joined the club after meeting a fellow Scot while training at local side AFC Aldermaston. He went on to manage Tadley Reserves, U16s and the first team, becoming chairman in the 2010-11 season.

“My personal goal at the time of joining was to ensure the club became self-sufficient; to put our own clubhouse and bar in place and not depend on sponsor donations. That was achieved in 2012 and we’ve been on the rise ever since with other infrastructure projects completed over the years and promotion to Step Five in 2018,” he explained.

“Playing Weymouth was a fantastic day for everyone connected to the club. We were not expected to progress, but that winning feeling, combined with the local turnout and interest, was massive.

“It raised our profile and now, we are at what I believe is the highest-ever level in both the FA Cup and league for either formation of the club. It’s a historic time for Tadley Calleva FC.”