The Road to Wembley (and Beyond)

The road beyond Wembley leads, in this instance, to Kettering. But more of that later. Looking at the early rounds of the FA Cup through the prism of Wembley FC is now an enduring cliche. Like many clubs in greater London Wembley eke out an existence on attendances that rarely reach 3 figures. Like no others they do so sharing one of the most iconic monikers in football with the national stadium just up the road. I imagine that this fact seems far more relevant the further away you are from either Wembley. 

The Magic of the Cup is About to Commence

Most famously, Budweiser installed Terry Venables as a novelty manager for the FA Cup campaign of 2012/13 along with a bunch of past it ex-pros. This wasn't a huge success on the pitch; ending in a 5:0 thrashing by Uxbridge. But it did provide both Wembley and the early stages of the cup with a heap of publicity. Understandably many fans felt that the parachuting in of famous names was quite insulting and went against the spirit of the cup. However, it undoubtedly worked with 412 people going through the gate for the first game with Langford. Two games with Uxbridge later and a reduced attendance of 317 in the decisive loss and the experiment/circus act was over. Interesting of all the stars lined up only Claudio Caniggia took part in all 3 games, scoring a goal in the process. Whatever you think of the publicity stunt from a footballing perspective it doesn't seem to have had any real long term benefit to Wembley in building a fanbase as last night's attendance of 54 attests. A total of 21 adults paid the full entrance fee. It's a good job the chips and burgers were flying out of the serving hatch.

Like Waltham Forest, Wembley didn't seem to have many fans who weren't connected to the club itself. And a hard working bunch they seemed too; even printing off more programmes at half time after the paltry first edition sold out early. They still count Budweiser as a club sponsor, with the logo not only emblazoned on thier shirts but most available surfaces round the pitch and entrance to the carpark. Even the baize on the clubhouse pool table was Budweiser red with the logo in the middle. I went for a pint of Stella at half time though. Not even that much (not very) subliminal persuasion would tempt me to that trough.

Impossible to point your camera anywhere without getting Budweiser in your lens

There weren't even that many visiting fans. Cogenhoe United play in the United Counties League and if few people could tell you where it is (village in Northants) then I'd wager even fewer could pronounce it. (Cook-nuh according to Wikipedia). I guess this wasn't quite the trip to Wembley people dream of. It was a cracking little game though. For most of the first period they were evenly matched. More possession for the visitors but Wembley looked more dangerous. Late in the half Cogenhoe capitalised on a Wembley defensive mistake and went in one to the good at the interval. In the second half Cogenhoe stepped it up and scored two more goals in two minutes courtesy of a well taken penalty and a delightful individual goal with a curled finish to the far top corner from the corner of the six yard box. Both from Sam Heavey. With 65 played it felt like it was all over but Wembley woke up and went for it and the last 25 minutes were end to end stuff. Although they pulled one back and they didn't quite exert enough pressure to make it any closer. A shame for the game's best player Zaine Gangadeen. I reckon he'll be playing at a higher level before the season's out.

A Blurry Penalty

So, Cogenhoe walked away with the prize money and an enticing home draw against local giant Kettering Town. Even if, as expected, they lose that game this season's FA Cup will have been worthwhile. Wembley meanwhile get to concentrate on the league and ignoring that famous arch until this time next year. Budweiser have already finished with the cup. I wonder how long they'll be plastered over Vale Farm. A week and a half to the next round. I won't be going to Cogenhoe but I will be going somewhere. I liked Wembley FC. It's just a shame it's so bloody far up the Piccadilly Line. That thing is interminable. God help me when I get round to going to Rayners Lane. 

Great things about non league football pt 52 - Overheard conversations. At times it felt more like a discussion club than a football match. Amongst the requisite huge amounts of football burbling and minutiae I got detailed overviews of the price of housing and beers prices in Burnley and its true value as a tourist destination. (Very cheap, cheap and it is one honest guv). Explanations of how good the NHL app is. (Very good.). Discussions regarding the catering at the Commonwealth Games (unforgettable).  

Things you won't know about if you've never been to a non league game - The teamsheet. Normally displayed somewhere in the ground. Lots of men will take photographs of it or even copy it out by hand. I snapped one for the first time at Wembley, and then took it home as a souvenir. They'll make a groundhopper of me yet.