Cray Valley Paper Mills FC, based in southeast London, did what every Non-League club aspires to do. They went on a run that made club history, and showcased everything that is good about the FA Cup.
8th of November 2020, a day filled with both disappointment and pride, for all those associated with Cray Valley Paper Mills Football Club. A one-nil defeat at the hands of National League South side Havant & Waterlooville, marked the end of a historic run.
For the first time in their history, Cray Valley PM had played an FA Cup first round proper match. Press Officer, Richard Green, spoke of the feeling around the players at the end of the run:
“I was speaking to one of our players last night, he’s one of our players that’s played over 150 games. And he said to me, ‘it’s a shame that the dream is over’.”
That dream really came out of nowhere. It all started just 40 days after the previous season’s FA Cup final.
‘You’re going to have a run this year’
The preliminary qualifying round is where the Millers started, with their first game of the season against rivals VCD Athletic. A six-nil thumping saw them off, and while speaking to the committee of the Non-League Paper, Richard heard the first suggestion of Cup success.
“I do the reports for the Non-League Paper. One of their committee said to me, ‘you’re going to have a run this year’.“
With a guarded sense of optimism, Richard saw the possibility. However, the club hadn’t even made it to the third qualifying round in their history, and the focus of this season was supposed to be on the League.
Staying on target
Promotion was in the hands of Cray Valley PM heading into the first couple of months of this year, but the stoppage of sport sabotaged any plans. The frustration caused by this meant that promotion and progress were of greater importance this season.
“We want to go through the leagues as quickly as we can. We only came out of step five, if you like, the year before last. Last season, we were in the running for promotion, when it all finished, had it been done on points per game, we would have gone up.“
The wins in the cup kept on coming for them though, and as the cup run stretched onward, the League slipped out of focus.
Thrown off course
“The downside of things, is that the game following the Cup exploits, we’ve always had a bit of a lull in our league form. We never actually won a game, following a cup game.“
With all the glory of cup success, there came a feeling that it was halting a successful league campaign. By the time Havant & Waterlooville had awoken the Millers from their dream, they had only won one league game out of five. Meanwhile, the team that had been easily dispatched weeks earlier, VCD Athletic, sat in a healthy 2nd place.
The further stoppage of Non-League football throughout November has also stalled the season. However, the fact that only five of their league games have been played, means the Millers will have time to right the ship, and push on.
The ‘magic’ is still there
Often when the FA Cup is talked about, the word ‘magic’ is banded about. Many would argue that this magic has gone, with those teams in the later stages fielding weakened sides.
In spite of this, Richard believes the magic still is there, but it is at the stages that are less talked about, without the eyes of the world watching.
“End of one of the games, a little boy wanted to give me a high five. You know, now you tell me the magic of the cup don’t exist. You know, the buzz around the place just… yep it is special. It is special. Yeah. Okay. As I said, you know the league is our priority, but there’s nothing like the FA Cup.“
In many ways, the ‘magic’ could be seen as having migrated. From the third round and on, to the earlier rounds, where teams like Cray Valley PM have these fairy tale runs, and get attention that they could never have dreamed of.
“Someone on eBay, has done badges commemorating the FA Cup. It had on it, ‘Havant and Waterlooville v Cray Valley PM,’ with the shirts on the badge as well. We’ve never had anything like that done for us before. You’re having a laugh.“
It’s small things like this that mean so much in the world of Non-League football. It also proves the pull and attraction of the FA cup is still there. A run like this brings in new fans, new opportunities, and a nice chunk of change.
Reputation over riches
Had Cray Valley PM gone on the same run last season, they would have got double the prize money. Richard points out that this isn’t money you budget for, a nice surprise. There’s something more important to many Non-League clubs than money, that brings in players and fans.
“It’s kudos, it’s getting our name out there it’s getting respect. People have now heard of Cray Valley Paper Mills. As I say two years ago, we were playing step five football. We won the league that year, we reached the FA Vase final, but even then, it was a case of ‘well that’s a funny name for team isn’t it’.“
Richard kept reiterating this. The money was simply a nice surprise, in a time where financial support for those in step three and below of Non-League, is few and far between.
“Yes, the money is all very nice. But instead of thinking ‘yeah, we won another eight grand or nine grand today’. It was a case of ‘hey we’re going to get on the front page of the Non-League Paper tomorrow. We’re getting our shirt out there. We’re getting some exposure.“
This kind of exposure is of huge importance to a team that is looking up like Cray Valley PM. A bright future up the leagues is what the sights are set on. The FA Cup may well have injected that extra oomph, to heighten the club’s trajectory.
What is your favourite ever FA Cup run? Or maybe you have a particular memory of the FA cup. Comment below with your stories.
Jon Parkin Sports 