Clubs from the leagues immediately below the Football League had no realistic chance of playing in a Wembley Final before the FA Council decided to start an ‘FA Challenge Trophy’ competition in 1969. It was open to all non-Football League clubs registering professional players. The current holders are Gateshead, who beat Solihull 5-4 on penalties after the match finished 2-2 after extra time at Wembley on May 11^th 2024. It has become the practice to have what has become known as “Finals Day” with the FA Vase final being played on the same day.

Gosport have not had the start to the new season that they would have hoped for after finishing last season in the top four and missing out on promotion at the play-off semi-final stage to Salisbury. They are currently in 15^th place in the Southern League Premier South (P8 W2 D3 L3 9 points) and have recorded just the one win on the road against Winchester so far this season. They come into the match on the back of the 1-0 defeat to Wimborne Town at the New Cuthbury on 24^th September.

Borough have been more successful in the cup competitions as they look forward to an FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie against National League Wealdstone United on 12^th October.

They are managed by head coach Pat Suraci and Joseph Lea who both have a wealth of experience in football in the Hampshire area and they will be looking to keep their cup run going and chasing the £2450 prize that this tie offers. Not forgetting the £60k to the eventual winners of the trophy.

Gosport are captained by legend Dan Wooden who first joined the club all the way back in 2010 after impressing coach Tony Stares during his time at Moneyfields. Operating as a left winger or striker, Wooden helped the Boro to back-to-back promotions from the Southern League Division One South & West to the Conference South – both via the playoffs. The success kept on coming as well, with Dan featuring in the 2014 FA Trophy final at Wembley and in an FA Cup First Round tie against Colchester United. After a fruitful spell, he re-joined Moneys in 2017 before moving to AFC Portchester, where he reunited with former Boro’ boss Mike Catlin. Wooden finally returned to Privett Park in 2023, much to the delight of their fans.

This will be our fourth consecutive home fixture after the well-deserved 3-1 league win over Plymouth Parkway, the 1-1 draw with one of the leagues form teams, Walton & Hersham and the FA Cup defeat against Taunton Town. We sit in 9^thplace in the league table (P8 W4 D2 L2 14 points) and very much in touch with the leading pack.

With the team settling down and playing some very attractive football there will be high hopes that we can enjoy an extended run in this very important competition. Come early to enjoy the match day atmosphere that the Black Gold generates.

Enjoy the game

Neil Wellington.