Tamworth - ugh!

Absolutely NOT the draw I'd have wanted. I used to follow a non-league team when I was growing up: Wealdstone, who KentonCanary also supports. Wealdstone won the non-league double of Conference and FA Trophy in 1985 - and two years later, were drawn away to Tamworth (who were three divisions lower, in the Birmingham Senior League if I recall) in the FA Cup 4th qualifying round.

In truth, Stones were rapidly going downhill, and heading for relegation from the Conference: but it didn't stop the local press whipping Tamworth fans into a frenzy. On the day itself, Lambs fans created all kinds of havoc, throwing fireworks onto the pitch and assaulting a number of the Stones supporters. Hardly surprisingly, we lost 2-0: and unbelievably, the local press applauded Tamworth's 'magnificent support' in the week after the game (but then, you tend to get this with local rags. Wisbech drew a top flight club - can't remember off-hand who it was - in the 3rd round a good few years back - and while the national media rightly castigated the appalling racism of the Wisbech locals, the EDP showered the supporters in nothing but praise).

Since then, Wealdstone have hurtled backwards, are now two levels below the Lambs in the Southern Premier, and haven't even been back to the 4th qualifying round, let alone the first round proper: while Tamworth have shot up the leagues. I'm assuming they must have a sugar-daddy backing them or something, because like many non-league clubs, they've come out of nowhere, basically. I'd have been completely relaxed about a home tie against them; but travelling there is something completely different. We're on a hiding to nothing, and it won't be easy at all - but for my own personal reasons, I hope we absolutely stuff them.

Posted By: thebigfeller, Dec 3, 20:43:41