Next Saturday sees one of the highlight dates of the Non-League calendar, the Fourth and Final Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. Sadly, my own non-league favourites will not feature, their demise having been contributed to by Gillingham's decision to allow Nicky Southall to become cup-tied.
Dover, themselves were eclipsed by AFC Wimbledon in the last round who now go into the last qualifying hurdle with a game at one of the two remaining Kent sides, our old adversaries, Maidstone United. The county's other representative will be Ebbsfleet United, who have been exempt until this stage of the competition. They face a tricky away tie at fellow Blue Square Premier side, Woking.
For one club this will be their sixth game in the competition, Leiston from Ridgeons Eastern Counties league set out on their road to Wembley on August 16th and have progressed to this final round and a home tie against Lewes from the Blue Square Premier where they will come up against ex-Gills favourite, Danny Cullip.
AFC Totton, Aylesbury United and Bury Town all entered the competition a round later than Leiston, but still started their cup trail in August. AFC Totton will visit Grays Athletic, a club with strong Gills links and a whole load of financial worries. Last week, ex-Gillingham favourites, Neil Smith and Tim O'Shea left their coaching posts due to the critical financial position of the Blue Square Premier club. Stuart Thurgood and Barry Cogan are still plying their trade at the club. I sense there may be a shock on the cards at The New Recreation Ground.
Back here in Kent, history will be made as one of Maidstone United or AFC Wimbledon will reach the First Round for the first time since their respective reincarnations. Maidstone, of course, have various links with Gillingham, no more so than their joint-manager, Alan Walker, veteran of 150-odd appearances for the club. His co-manager Lloyd Hume was also at Priestfield as an apprentice. On the playing side, Ian Cox, Roland Edge and James Pinnock are well known to Gills fans, whilst Jay Saunders and Elliott Bradbrook began their careers at the club. For the Wombles, perhaps the most known player would be Danny Kedwell, born in Gillingham, linked with Gillingham, allegedly trialled with Gillingham, but has never played for Gillingham. Personally, I cannot stand the stress of even the threat of Maidstone in the draw, so come on Wimbledon.
Ebbsfleet begin their quest for glory with Wembley still fresh in their memory following their FA Trophy victory in May. Craig Stone is probably the highest profile ex-Gill at the club having been released last season. Stone, however, is presently making his appearances from the subs bench. George Purcell was also an apprentice at the club. Both Maidstone and Ebbsfleet supporters, no doubt, would relish a draw against Gillingham. Would we? I doubt it very much.
Looking at likely Fourth Qualifying Round winners, anybody from the Conference would be a worry. But, Mark Stimson certainly would not relish a return to Stevenage, who should prove too strong for Horsham. Perhaps we could renew old acquaintances with Chris Hope at Rushden or our old mate, Guy Butters with the FA Cup heroes from last season, Havant and Waterlooville and I wonder if Sean Clohessy and Rory Hill will become cup-tied when Salisbury meet the students of Team Bath, and would they play against Gillingham if drawn together?
So there are plenty Gills links still on the road to Wembley, did I mention Leroy Griffiths who will be hoping to take Hampton and Richmond into Round One, how about Marcus Browning, Danny Knowles and Adam Bygrave all at Weymouth, all of whom I'm sure will be looking for the ball with Gillingham's number on it in the draw for the First Round Proper of the greatest Cup competition in the world.
I'm sure Mark Stimson will trot out the old adage of anybody at home will be a blessing, in our case it was never closer to the truth. Over the years, we have had our share of disasters in the early rounds of the FA Cup and in a second part to this article I will look back at some of our less distinguished moments in the grand old trophy.