FOOTBALLERS rather than actors will be taking centre stage in Stratford next month as the romance of the cup comes to town.
Stratford Town FC last night qualified for the FA Cup First Round Proper for the first time in the club’s 80 year history.
And the Bards’ reward for beating Boston United 3-2 in their final qualifying round replay is a potential giant-killing tie at home to Football League One side Shrewsbury Town.
The match at the club’s Knights Lane ground is scheduled to take place on Saturday November 6 with a 3pm kick off, but that could change if the tie is selected as one of those chosen for live tv broadcast.
Shrewsbury sit four divisions higher than Southern League Premier Division Central Stratford in the football league pyramid.
And while The Shrews will start as favourites, the world’s most famous club competition has thrown-up many memorable upsets down the years.
Shrewsbury have twice reached the quarter-finals of the competition, first in 1978–79 and then in 1981–82.
Last season they were beaten 1-0 in a fourth round replay by Liverpool at Anfield, having come back from two down in a pulsating draw with the mighty Reds in front of the television cameras on their own turf.
This season The Shrews have started poorly. They currently sit fourth from bottom of the table and have only picked up one point on their travels. Stratford will be hoping they bring their poor away form with them.
