Preview – Faversham Town – 16 Sep

We welcome Faversham Town to The Vale this Saturday (16 Sep) for an Emirates FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round tie kick-off 15:00.

Our visitors play in the Bostick (Isthmain) League South at the Shepherd Neame Stadium. Nicknamed the ‘Lilywhites’ founded in 1884 they were   founder members of the Kent League in 1894 where they played in the various divisions (1922-1939 & 1944-1959) until the late 1950’s when they joined the  Aetolian League after the Kent League folded. Their  stay was relatively short and at the end of the 1965–66 season they left to join the reformed Kent League.  

Come the early 1970’s it was in to the Metropolitan London League and then into the Athenian League at the start of the 1973/74 season before returning to the Kent League for the 1976/77 season. The club did not enter a team in the League in either of the 2003/04 or 2004/05 season’s but were back in 2005/06 where they finished as Premier Division runners-up,  it was in the 2009/10 season which saw them crowned champions moving on promotion to the then Ryman Isthmian League  Division One South.

In the first Qualifying Round of the 2017/18 Emirates FA Cup they defeated Bostick (Isthmian) Premier side  Tonbridge Angels 3-1 at home.  In the League, the first six League games has seen 3 wins (away at Walton Casuals 4-3 & 2-1 at Carshalton Athletic, 1-0 at home to Sittingbourne) and 3 defeats ( 0-5 at VCD Athletic, 1-2 at home to Ramsgate, 0-3 to Herne Bay at home).  In the League Cup they defeated Croydon 2-1 in a replay (after a 0-0 draw) before bowing out to Sittingbourne 1-2.

The Stones have bounced back from the Weston-super-Mare defeat with two good home wins over Bognor Regis Town and Poole Town in the League, manager Bobby Wilkinson will be keen to maintain the momentum and confidence that the side are showing as they do battle in this FA Cup tie.

A Big thank you to our

 Match sponsor(s):  Dominic Whyley & Friends  +  Match Ball Donation: Pete Worby 

Match day Admission: Adults – £13, Concession – £9 (over 65 & students with ID), Under 18s – £3,  ALL PAY –  Our Premiership/Championship Season Ticket offer does not apply to this game

Entry to the stadium is through the Turnstile block on the right as you enter The Vale.  If you arrive early  you can purchase your Match-day ticket and programme  from the pop-up ordering point located just inside the Ruislip Social Club (you can also order your half-time refreshment from the Social Club).

Cash entry is through Turnstile 1 & 2 (plus match-day tickets purchased in advance via the pop-up point and other official passes (players, scout, complementary etc.).

No entry to the stadium will be allowed through the metal gates adjacent to the turnstile block except for suitably badged individuals so please allow plenty of time to get into the ground prior to kick-off.

Parking at the stadium on the adjacent grass pitch area is FREE.  If you elect to  park in the side streets near to the ground please do not block driveways or access for emergency vehicles, especially within Grosvenor Vale and Cranley Drive.   Alternatively, use  one of the  pay & display car parks which are within 10–12 minutes walk of  the stadium (see map HERE for assistance). Please be aware the Local Hillingdon Traffic Enforcement Department will be out and about and if you happen to park your vehicle inappropriately in the one of the side streets you are likely to get a ticket. You have been warned….

Public Transport – Metropolitan (starting at Wembley Park)  & Piccadilly Line services should be operating a normal to Ruislip Manor and Ruislip. The Central Line will also be running a normal service (alight at Ruislip Gardens and then a 12-15 minute walk to the ground or cross the road and catch the  E7 bus towards Ruislip) – Check TfL website for latest info HERE

The Ruislip Social Club opens at noon and will showing Crystal Palace v Southampton at 12:30 + Tottenham Hotspur v Swansea at 17:30.

Make sure you pick-up your match-day programme (£3) on your way-in to the ground and your golden goals tickets (£1 a ticket, first goal wins £50 last goal wins £10).

Lynn Evans and her team will be serving hot food (burgers, chicken burgers, bacon and sausage rolls and fish finger rolls hot and cold drinks from the catering unit situated at the top of the ground. The Half-way line tea bar in the ground will also be serving hot and cold drinks as well as snacks.

Get behind the lads from the off, make plenty of noise for the 90+ minutes as we go in search of a place in the 3rd Qualifying Round where ties will be played on the 30 Sep, KO 15:00.

If the game on Saturday finishes all square the replay will be held on Tue 19 Sep at the Shepherd Neame Stadium, Salters Lane, Faversham ME13 8ND KO 19:45.  Match Admission £10 Adults, £6 Concession & £2 U 18s

‘Website Admin’