Chesterfield-based football fan makes a book out of his FA Cup journey from Sheffield FC to Wembley
‘Part of the ethos behind the book is to encourage others to get out there on their own FA Cup journey’
From Chesterfield to Alvechurch, Mansfield to Marine, the first round proper of the FA Cup rolls around this weekend.
And now a football fan from Chesterfield is telling the story of his journey through 14 rounds of the world’s oldest club cup competition.
Ian McNeilly’s adventure took in 20 games and 35 teams from last season’s extra preliminary round in early August to the final itself at Wembley.
It took him off the beaten footballing track and has resulted in the book, The Only Way Is Cup - the FA Cup Travelogue.
“I didn’t intend to write a story but after two or three matches I thought ‘you know what, this would make quite an interesting book’,” Ian told the Derbyshire Times.
“I’ve explored new grounds, teams, clubhouses, villages, towns and cities and met some great people.
“The non-league clubs welcome you warmly. The people there like to see a new face and are grateful for your interest and any money you spend.
“Part of the ethos behind the book is to encourage others to get out there on their own FA Cup journey - and start locally. As a result, there are several Derbyshire clubs covered.
“I live in Chesterfield and I know football fans who go to watch Town every week but they might not have been to Matlock Town or Belper.”
Ian’s journey included:
Dronfield-based Sheffield FC v Albion Sports (Extra Preliminary Round)
Belper Town v Kidsgrove Athletic (Preliminary Round)
Matlock Town v Bottesford Town (First Qualifying Round)
Buxton FC v Redditch United (Second Qualifying Round)
Chesterfield v Doncaster Rovers (Second Round Proper)
There was also nearby:
Hallam FC v Lower Breck (Extra Preliminary Round)
Sheffield Wednesday v Brentford (Third Round Proper)
Part travelogue, part football and social history, each entry of the book includes the full team listings from the games covered.
All include potted histories of the clubs as well as insights on the towns themselves.
Ian explained: “On the first weekend I went to see Sheffield FC’s tie. Hallam FC play at home on a Sunday because they have loads of Sheffield Wednesday fans so I did two in the first weekend.
“It became clear that for some of the clubs the qualifying rounds could be one of their biggest matches ever.
“You read the programme notes and you can tell they are properly buzzing when they have drawn a different team from what they usually play visiting.
“After I’d done it all I went to Stratford Town FC and in their clubhouse there’s a big display on the best day in their history, which is when they reached the first round proper of the FA Cup. It just reminds you how great this competition is. I’m a big fan of it.”
Originally from the North East, Ian moved to Chesterfield 12 years ago.
“Ironically, living in Chesterfield, the biggest day in Chesterfield FC’s history was against my team, Middlesbrough (in the 1997 FA Cup semi-final),” he says.
“I’m a Boro fan but I have been to see more Chesterfield matches than any other team over the last decade.”
Ian will be an interested observer when Chesterfield lock horns with non-league Yeovil in the first round at the SMH Group Stadium on Saturday.
“Yeovil is miles away but no many how many supporters they bring they will remember their day out for a long time,” he says.
“I don’t know if people realise but by the time the first round starts this weekend some teams will have played five matches.
“I don’t believe all this chipping away at the FA Cup.
“It is only the really big teams who aren’t as bothered about it and they make up a tiny percentage of the hundreds who enter it.”
“The FA Cup is special. We need to look after it.”
The Only Way Is Cup – The FA Cup Travelogue is available, priced £14.99, from Bannister Publications.
To order visit https://www.bannisterpublications.com/bookstore
The clubs featured are: Albion Sports, Altrincham, Aston Villa, Belper Town, Birmingham City, Bottesford Town, Brentford, Buxton FC, Cambridge United, Chelsea, Chesterfield, Doncaster Rovers, Fulham, Grimsby Borough, Halesowen Town, Hallam FC, Harborough Town, Harrogate Town, Hereford FC, Kidsgrove Athletic, Leeds United, Liverpool, Lower Breck, Manchester City, Mansfield Town, Matlock Town, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United, Redditch United, Sheffield FC, Sheffield Wednesday, Southampton, Sporting Khalsa, Stamford AFC, Stockport County, Sutton Coldfield Town