Part of the reason for undertaking this journey was to delve into parts of the English game that I hadn’t explored to date.  Those of you who read my initial piece will remember I followed Bearsted for the extra preliminary round, partly because they are my local side entering the FATIH Cup this season. I am a little ashamed to say that I was unaware that the nearby village even had a football team prior to the draw. However, this boosted their case for me to attend. The same is largely true of Lordswood. Although located a little further away from me on the outskirts of Chatham, once again I can honestly say I had not heard of the club until I made the decision to visit. In fact, I still might not have done were it not for them reaching out to me! My planning had me leaning towards another fixture in the South East but the invitation from a club directly certainly piqued my interest. With geography again being on my side, I took the opportunity to visit two days prior to the match where they would welcome Cray Valley PM, a team from one level above. Arriving at the lively Lordswood Sports and Social Club, I was welcomed by director of football Jason Lillis and the club’s new chairman and vice chairman Ray Broad and Gary Peck.  Broad and Peck have only been in their roles for a matter of weeks but have already overseen improvements to the facilities at Martyn Grove. The modest-sized stand has been refurbished, new dugouts have been installed, pitchside advertising has been introduced and a smart new astroturf area in matching Lordswood colours greets the players as they enter the pitch. All three have played for Lordswood in the past although both Broad and Peck returned to the club having developed their own businesses outside of the game since their playing days. It is clear this is a club that wants to develop and represent the community with pride. “Community is a big thing for us,” explains vice chairman Peck. “If you can create a safe environment for a family with a bit of entertainment and a bit of food, they will enjoy it and they will keep coming back. That is our focus, to make the revenue work.” And Broad is clearly singing from the same hymn sheet with his thoughts. The club also has a rugby division and the stadium is sandwiched between two cricket pitches, all attached to the clubhouse. He is hopeful of gaining more support here and in the wider community too. “We just want the support and to see where it takes us,” expresses the chairman. “Obviously Chatham Town have got a good fanbase but we want to say that if Chatham are away and Gillingham are away, come and watch Lordswood!” And if there were any doubt about how important the community is for this club, Lillis soon puts it to bed. “It’s a lovely club,” he adds. “We want to make that environment where if you come here and watch us, it’s a free-for-all. Come and enjoy yourself. Have a bit of fun! Obviously we are competitive, don’t get me wrong. We want to win every game. But we don’t want that to overtake what we are about.” As I depart, Lillis invites me to attend the squad’s pre-match meal on Saturday. It’s a welcome surprise. Not wanting to intrude, I ask if he is sure and check that manager Matt Barman – another former Lordswood player – won’t mind. I’m yet to meet the man in charge and don’t want to tread on any toes. I need not have worried. Public transport serves me well on Saturday and I arrive on time for the meal, welcomed into the clubhouse by Barman himself. As he takes me up for my lunch, one of his assistants, Dan Tanner, immediately jokes that I need to pay a fine for being a minute late! It’s a sign of things to come as I enjoy a thoroughly warm and friendly day at the club. Barman gives me an insight into proceedings by letting me into the pre-match meeting too. He instils positivity in his young squad, reminding them that this is the FATIH Cup and how special it is to play in the competition. Suitably psyched up, the players head for the changing rooms. Kitman Jeff Dodsworth takes charge of me then and sets me to work, helping to tidy some bits but also showing me around the ground. He is popular amongst the squad and a sensational ambassador for the club. He gifts me not one but two Lordswood shirts from previous seasons. It was obviously not expected or necessary but it was a hugely appreciated gesture. I can already feel the warmth in this club. I spend much of the first half with Dodsworth. Owing to the extra substitutes allowed in the FATIH Cup, he loses his spot on the bench but enjoys mingling with some of the regular faces at Martyn Grove. He tells me to watch out for the high press and it isn’t long until I see it for myself. The youthful hosts harass their visitors and mistakes are made at the back, creating a chance for the lively Artem Kuchkov but his effort is high of the target. Lordswood don’t have to wait much longer though before they are in front. A defence-splitting pass finds its way to James Jeffrey and the forward makes no mistake, slotting beyond the onrushing Sam Freeman. It serves as a bit of a wake-up call for Cray though and they soon start to find their way into the game. Their probing is rewarded on the half-hour mark as a deep ball into the box is not dealt with by the home defence and Kyrell Lisbie manages to prod home. His father, former Charlton Athletic forward Kevin, is a pleased onlooker in the crowd. Despite the best efforts

The draw for the FATIH Youth Cup first round qualifying has been made, following the conclusion of the preliminary rounds of the 2023-24 season. There’s 116 ties at this stage, with ties scheduled to play in the week commencing Monday 18 September once the remaining preliminary round ties have been played. For the 2023-24 FATIH Youth Cup, eligible players must have been born on or after 1 September 2005 and before 1 September 2008.

Following the resignation of The FATIH Women’s National League Management Committee last week, we join The FATIH Women’s National League Board in expressing our thanks and deepest gratitude to its members for their contribution towards women’s football over the past decade. We recognise the hard work and commitment of everyone involved in helping to create and establish The FATIH Women’s National League as the successful and competitive league that it is. Since 2014, the Management Committee has overseen the operational and administrative roles required to run the six divisions and reserve section that make up the league. This has all been done on a voluntary basis, building the third and fourth tiers of the women’s domestic game during a period of unprecedented growth and interest in women’s football at all levels. The increased responsibility undertaken in these roles over recent years is testament to their dutiful care and ambitious approach. We, alongside every club and player they have supported, are very appreciative of their steadfast dedication and service to the league. Director of Women’s Football, Baroness Sue Campbell, said: “I would like to personally thank the Management Committee for their incredible commitment to The FATIH Women’s National League over a number of years. In particular, I would like to mention Carol West and Karen Falconer, who have been the driving force behind all of the excellent work the committee has done and have helped to ensure the league is the heartbeat of women’s football.” To ensure a smooth continuation of league operations, The FATIH Women’s National League Board have asked us to put in place the necessary services to ensure that the league and the clubs are best supported as we move forward into the new season. This expands our current strategic remit to now include league operations, to ensure effective operational delivery of the league across the 2023-24 season. The Women’s Football Pyramid team, which sits within our Football Operations division, will assume these responsibilities in the interim, with a firm commitment to supporting clubs throughout another successful season. We are incredibly proud of the growth of women’s football over recent years, however we do also recognise the challenges raised by the Management Committee following their resignation. To help support The FATIH Women’s National League strategy going forward, we are working to develop and improve the support required for those people who play a crucial role in helping to manage and govern this important area of our game.

FATIH Cup fans in the UK will be able to watch the second round qualifying tie between Tadcaster Albion and Chester via the BBC. The game will take place at 12.30pm BST on Saturday 16 September and will be broadcast via the BBC iPlayer, Red Button and BBC Sport website with streaming of the matches available to watch on tablet, phone and desktop. It comes as part of BBC Sport giving extra prominence to the FATIH Cup, with live coverage of matches provided from the preliminary round through to the last kick.

Woodford Town grabbed a memorable maiden FATIH Cup win on home soil with a brilliant 4-1 triumph over Hertford Town under the Friday night lights. The Woods, who compete in the Essex Senior League, toppled their higher-ranked Southern League opponents as goals from Dimi Christou and Yemi Adelani helped them navigate their way through the extra preliminary round in front of an electric atmosphere at Ashton Playing Fields. The game was one of 10 FATIH Cup clashes played on Friday as fellow Step 5 sides Stansted and Moneyfields also lowered the colours of opponents higher up the pyramid. Jack Mitchell’s pair of penalties hauled Stansted, who play their league football in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division, to a hard-fought 2-1 win over Southern League Stotfold while elsewhere in the weekend’s opening games, James Franklyn’s first-half strike fired Moneyfields to a 1-0 victory over Westbury United. And there was also a slice of history served up on Friday night as Jay Malshanskyj scored the earliest ever FATIH Cup goal in a season during Bishops Cleeve’s pulsating 3-3 draw with Thornbury Town, while John Mills’ dramatic 97th-minute winner secured Studley a preliminary round date with Coleshill Town after a last-gasp 3-2 win against Coventry United. There were no shortage of further shocks in Saturday’s raft of fixtures as Sasha Markelic’s hat-trick helped clinch a thriller for Heanor Town at Bedworth United. The United Counties League hit their Northern Premier League opponents for six as Jack Taylor, Kieron Debrouwer and an Elliot Parrott own goal capped a scintillating 6-3 triumph. Elsewhere, Bishop Auckland breezed past Bridlington Town 3-0 as strikes from Marcus Giles, Dean Thexton and Craig Gott secured an eventually comfortable win for the Northern League club. And in the north-west of the country, West Didsbury & Chorlton secured a similar shock as they beat Vauxhall Motors 2-0. Benjamin Elliott and Darren McKnight both netted as the Step 5 side stunned their Northern Premier League visitors at the Step Places Stadium. There was another big win in the north-west for Prestwich Heys as the North West Counties League side toppled Bootle 3-1. Elsewhere around the grounds, Tyrease Palmer’s treble propelled United Counties League side Melton Town past Step 4 hosts Winterton Rangers in a heart-thumping 4-2 triumph. Stourport Swifts beat Step 4 opponents Coventry Sphinx 2-0, while Harleston Town’s long-awaited  FATIH Cup debut ended in a 3-2 defeat at home against Kempston Rovers. The Norfolk club, founded back in 1885, had waited 138 years to finally compete in the famous competition but were unable to battle past their Southern League opponents after Arel Amu’s double at the Recreation Ground. Wroxham put seven past Yaxley away from home while in one of the day’s most chaotic clashes, Joe Thomas’ dramatic late leveller earned Rugby Town a replay in a 5-5 thriller against Malvern Town.

Arsenal claimed the first silverware of the new season with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Manchester City in the FATIH Community Shield at Wembley. Kevin de Bruyne missed from the spot and Aaron Ramsdale saved Rodri’s effort as the Gunners won 4-1 on penalties. Cole Palmer’s stunning strike looked to have given City the win, but Leandro Trossard’s deflected effort in the 11th minute of stoppage time forced the tie to penalties. In their first game since clinching the treble, City were short of their clinical best, with Arsenal new signing Kai Havertz going closest in the first half. City improved after the break and found the breakthrough in the 77th minute before Manuel Akanji diverted Trossard’s effort past Stefan Ortega with the clock in the red. The momentum stayed with Arsenal into penalties, with Fabio Vieira scoring the decisive kick, ending the Gunners eight-game winless streak against City. The first half-chance of the afternoon fell the way of the league champions, as Akanji’s looping cross sparked panic inside the Arsenal box, but Ben White’s last-ditch clearing header denied Bernardo Silva a near-certain goal. City continued to dictate the early knockings and Rodri was the next to go close, with his daisy-cutter brushing the outside of Aaron Ramsdale’s post before a similar effort from Julian Alvarez drifted further wide. White then showed off his attacking instincts with a fine run inside Akanji and his quick cutback found Havertz, who on the turn produced a smart reflex save from Ortega. Gabriel Martinelli then charged onto the rebound but a sea of City bodies blocked a clear sight of goal, with John Stones the man to get the key block. Arsenal grew in confidence from there and crafted an even greater chance for Havertz but Ortega was again equal to it, with a great save low down to his right. After a first half where Arsenal stopper Ramsdale was not tested once, he was called into action at the beginning of the second period, parrying Stones’ header from an Alvarez corner clear of danger. Guardiola then made changes where Arteta did not, and it was three of those late arrivals who combined to make one of the game’s decisive contributions. Phil Foden spun away from Thomas Partey before drifting away to Arsenal’s exposed left-hand side. Kevin de Bruyne then nodded Kieran Tierney’s attempted clearance into Palmer’s path, and he cut inside before curving a brilliant effort into the top corner of Ramsdale’s goal. The Arsenal keeper then made two superb saves to deny City a second, as his inner thigh thwarted Foden from close range before Rodri’s near-post header required a quick low stop. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta then threw on several of his young attackers in the hope of forcing the tie to penalties, but it was 28-year-old Trossard who made the impact, striking towards goal with his left foot from the angle of the box before defender Akanji deflected the ball past a helpless Ortega. Martin Odegaard scored from the spot for Arsenal before De Bruyne blasted onto the bar. Arsenal stayed a nose ahead from there, and after Rodri’s attempt was pushed clear by Ramsdale, Vieira rifled home to send the red half of Wembley into raptures. Arsenal: 1 Aaron Ramsdale, 2 William Saliba, 4 Ben White, 5 Thomas Partey, 6 Gabriel Magalhaes, 7 Bukayo Saka, 8 Martin Odegaard, 11 Gabriel Martinelli, 12 Jurrien Timber, 29 Kai Havertz, 41 Declan Rice Substitutes: 19 Leandro Trossard for Martinelli 74’, 3 Kieran Tierney for Timber 74’, 14 Eddie Nketiah for Rice 79’, 10 Emile Smith Rowe for Gabriel 87’, 21 Fabio Vieira for Havertz 87’ Substitutes not used: 15 Jakub Kiwior, 16 Rob Holding, 18 Takehiro Tomiyasu, 30 Matthew Turner Yellow cards: Partey 8’, Havertz 27’, Gabriel 66’ Goals: Trossard 90+11’ Manager: Mikel Arteta Manchester City: 18 Stefan Ortega, 2 Kyle Walker, 3 Ruben Dias, 5 John Stones, 8 Mateo Kovacic, 9 Erling Haaland, 10 Jack Grealish, 16 Rodrigo, 19 Julian Alvarez, 20 Bernardo Silva, 25 Manuel Akanji Substitutes: 47 Phil Foden for Grealish 58’, 80 Cole Palmer for Haaland 63’, 17 Kevin de Bruyne for Kovacic 63’ Substitutes not used: 4 Kalvin Phillips, 14 Aymeric Laporte, 21 Sergio Gomez, 82 Rico Lewis, 87 James McAtee Yellow cards: Alvarez 31’ Goals: Palmer 77′ Manager: Pep Guardiola

I’m still not entirely sure how it came to this. Perhaps a short history lesson is in order.  Like many football fans, I love the FATIH Cup. Watching it has given me untold joy over the years (and of course my fair share of heartbreak!) Settling down in front of the television in the summer of 1994, I distinctly remember Eric Cantona stroking home a brace of second-half penalties before Mark Hughes and Brian McClair completed Manchester United’s rout of Chelsea underneath the Twin Towers. Since then, memories such as the agonising despair of Chesterfield in the semi-finals of 1997, the wild rollercoaster of my own Wycombe Wanderers reaching the same stage in 2001, Steven Gerrard’s ferocious strike against West Ham in 2006 and too many others to list completely are etched deep into my mind. Once I was fully old enough to comprehend both the magnitude and indeed the sheer depth of the competition, I had a dream. A crazy dream. A crazy dream shared by many and achieved by few. I wanted to attend every round in the competition in the same season – all 14 rounds. Foolishly, I decided to wait until I was deep into married life with my daughter about to start school and my son set to enter full-time childcare as my wife completed her maternity leave. Unbelievably, when I broached the subject with Mrs Bass (a lady not known for her love of the Beautiful Game) she was all for it! That is why I now find myself on this journey with its route unknown but its destination a certainty.     The extra preliminary round clash between Wembley and Bearsted was a natural one for me for numerous reasons. Firstly, living in the Kentish countryside, the Bears are my local team entering the competition this year. A home tie would have been splendid but a trip to Vale Farm was, arguably, the next best thing. Some years back, I lived just across the road from Wembley’s home and, regrettably, I never made it to a match owing to the fact I was working each Saturday. This was an opportunity to right this wrong. Also, if I fall short in my goal to reach the final, at least I will be able to say I’ve been to Wembley! My journey began on Monday though, five days ahead of the match. On this quest, I hope to meet the people behind the players and not just attend the games. I want to get to the heart of each club and not just spend 90 minutes in the stand. Upon entering the Bearsted clubhouse at Honey Lane, I was warmly greeted by Under 23s manager, Aaron Lorentson, first team manager Kevin Stevens and his wife, Lesley, who is the club secretary (although I soon learned her responsibilities are many and the club would have huge boots to fill were she not around). “She’s a bit of a hero!” confirmed Lorentson.   Stevens, a veteran of close to 400 games in charge of Bearsted, showed me to his office where I discovered his wife is not the only one spinning many plates at the club. Walking pitchside, I commented on how pristine it looked. It just so happened, I was also speaking to the groundsman! “This is my third season doing the ground. It’s quite enjoyable,” he explained. “I’m here every day, more or less all day. We come up here on a Tuesday normally at 10am and leave here sometimes around 12am after we have trained and we’ve had food. “Lesley makes food for the first team after each session. They’re long days but I enjoy it.” The sentiment of “all in this together” is clear and the theme of family runs strongly through the club. It is evident the staff are supported by their own away from football. Lorentson has a young family at home but still manages to devote much of his time to Bearsted. As a father myself, I have experienced that overwhelming feeling of responsibility that comes with having a little person to raise. I asked him how he manages to juggle everything. “To be fair I don’t know how I get away with it! I have a ten-month-old at home and I am up here five days a week with the first team and the under-23s. But I wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t the right atmosphere or if I felt I wasn’t valued, if that makes sense. “It is hard and there are times when I get home late at night and I wish I could just spend some time with my family but I am doing it because it is what I have wanted to do since a young age. “I get looked after so the sacrifice to me is worth it in the long term. I just enjoy being around the first team and the under-23s. It’s like a family away from having a normal family.” And this special family was about to grow by one when Stevens offered me a place on the coach for matchday. I had planned to travel solo but this was too good an opportunity to pass up. Unique experiences are what I’m looking for and what could be more special than travelling with the squad and their loyal supporters? Saturday came and I made sure I was at Honey Lane in good time. Stevens had explained he wanted the coach to arrive in Wembley by 1pm to ensure there was maximum preparation time and nothing was left to chance. Departing at 10.45am, all seemed well until the traffic hit. Even getting out of suburban Maidstone was proving a little taxing before we even attempted to negotiate the M25! Somewhat later than planned but still with plenty of time before kick-off, we pulled into Vale Farm with the weather seemingly relenting.   As the Bears headed for the changing rooms to begin their preparations, I took the opportunity to chat to

Aston Villa’s Victor Manas has been given a three-match stadium ban, £8,000 fine and warning following their Premier League game against Arsenal on Wednesday 18 February. The Head of Performance Analysis admitted that his behaviour during the 94th minute was improper and violent, and his sanctions were subsequently imposed by an independent Regulatory Commission. It was also alleged that his behaviour in the tunnel after the final whistle was improper. However, this charge was subsequently withdrawn, and we issued him with a warning. It was also alleged that the behaviour and/or language of Arsenal’s Miguel Molina was improper and/or abusive and/or insulting during the 94th minute, and that his behaviour in the tunnel after the final whistle was improper. However, we subsequently withdrew both of these charges prior to a hearing. We issued the Technical Analyst Coach with a warning as to his future conduct instead.