This Season 2020-21

Extra Preliminary Round

Tuesday, 1st September 2020, Keynsham 1 Exmouth Town 3

Preliminary Round

Saturday, 12th September 2020, Exmouth Town 0 Melksham 2

Sadly, the run ends.

FA Cup History

Exmouth Town first appearance in the FA Cup was a Preliminary Round match at home to Dartmouth on Saturday, 15th September 1934 (in their second season after forming in 1933). I have been unable to find any further details about the game or the result, although needless to say, neither club made it through to the First Round Proper.

Town also appeared in the FA Cup in the 1950-51 season when they came up against St Blazey. They drew 3-3 away at the Cornish side but lost the home replay 4-1 exiting the cup at the extra preliminary round.

It was another 14 years before Town returned to the cup. The 1985-86 season proved to be much more successful than their previous outings as they made it to the third qualifying round, beating Glastonbury, Ottery St Mary and Bideford on the way, finally losing 2-0 away at Bath City.

Exmouth Town have twice reached the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, unfortunately going down to a 5-1 home defeat against Woking in 1988-89, and a 4-1 home defeat against Farnborough Town in 1989-90.

Exmouth Town v Woking, FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round, Season 1988-89

Exmouth Town were drawn against Vauxhall Opel (Isthmian) League Division One side Woking in the 4th Qualifying Round after previously winning at home against Weymouth. At the time, Woking were in 6th place in the table with games in hand against all but one of the clubs ahead of them, whereas Exmouth Town were in 7th place in the Great Mills Western League Premier Division, also with games in hand over most of he clubs ahead of them in the league (probably as a result of their progression in the cup).

After beating Town at Southern Road on Saturday, 29th October 1988, Woking went on to lose 4-1 at home to Cambridge United in the First Round Proper. Woking finished 3rd in their league at the end of the season.

The Town side on the day was Mike Barrett, Jeff Weeks, Keith Sprague, Frankie Howarth, Jon Beer, Alan Hooker, Steve Riedlinger, Lenny Jones, Kevin Smith, Nick Taylor, Steve Hynds. On the bench were Jason Came and Graham Weeks. Team manager was Bob Davis who was assisted by Robbie Hook, with Jerry Sharland as physio.

Some of the current faces around at the time were Mark Hunt (Reserve Team Manager) and Mike Skinner (2nd Team Assistant).

In the programme for the game, Town were appealing for any groundhoppers to visit the club shop, following recent visits from groundhoppers from Belfast< Preston, Fleetwood, Hampton and London. Enticing the groundhoppers were the adding their signature to the visitors book, and the wide variety of merchandise on offer, including rosettes, scarves, bob hats (bobble hats), along with the “popular new style” club jumper priced at £12.95, and a sekection of smaller souvenirs.

Town’s Route to the 4^th Qualifying Round

Liverpool went on to win the FA Cup that season after beating Everton 3-2 after extra time at Wembley.

Exmouth Town v Farnborough Town, FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round, Season 1989-90

For the second season running Town reached the 4th Qualifying Round of the cup. This time they were drawn against Vauxhall Conference side Farnborough Town. At the time, Farnborough were in 16th place in the table, whereas Exmouth Town were in 4th place in the Great Mills Western League Premier Division.

The Town side on the day was Mike Barrett, Gary Carpenter, Tony Stuart, Keith Sprague, Keith Graddon, Robbie Hook, Alan Hooker, Frankie Howarth, Jamie Harris, Andy Rowland, Steve Hynds. On the bench were Paul Dixon and Spencer West. The club manager at the time was Bob Davis. Bob was assisted by Robbie Hook, withJ erry Sharland acting as sponge man and physio.

Some of the current faces around at the time were Mike Skinner (2nd Team Manager and committee member) and Simon Bull (committee member).

In the programme for the game, Town were advertising for agents to sell sweets throughout the area with a 1/3 commision going to the agent. According to the advertisement, “All sweets are supplied on a sale or return basis, and with Christmas coming up you cannot go wrong! Earn yourself ££££’s.“. Local clubs and organisations were also invited to become agents. I’m not sure how many agents enjoyed a great Christmas based on their earnings from Exmouth Town’s great money spinner.

After beating Town 4-1 at Southern Road on Saturday 28^th October 1989, Farnborough went on to lose 1-0 at home to Hereford United in the First Round Proper.

Town’s Route to the 4^th Qualifying Round

Remarkably, the third qualifying round went to a 3rd replay, where Exmouth Town finally triumphed 2-1 in front of a crowd of 415.

Manchester United went on to win the FA Cup that season after beating Crystal Palace 1-0 in the replay at Wembley following a 3-3 draw after extra time in the first match.