TAUNTON Town Football Club are the pride of Somerset this week after they beat overwhelming odds on Tuesday evening and reached the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time in 35 years.

It took a magnificent performance at National South Hemel Hempstead Town, two leagues above them, to bring a home tie with National League Barrow in just over two week’s time at the Viridor Stadium, and the possibility of live television coverage and a six-figure financial windfall which could set the club up for years.

Leigh Robinson’s side had to do it the hard way after drawing the original game 0-0 on Saturday, which left the squad with a replay and a 340-mile, seven-hour round trip to Hertfordshire, but it mattered little in the end as

Jordan Rogers’ early penalty proved to be the winner on a magical night.

Chairman and chief executive Kevin Sturmey praised his players and staff at the final whistle, saying: “This result will give the club huge prestige, and it is not just nationally, but our name will be known worldwide and it is down to a team effort both on and off the pitch.”

Somerset County Gazette:

History will be made on the weekend of Bonfire Night as it will see the first ever FA Cup first round tie to be staged in the town, and early indications are that it may be an all-ticket affair with high flying Barrow sure to bring a healthy travelling contingent with them, particularly if the game is moved to the Sunday afternoon.


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There were previous incarnations of Taunton football clubs going right back to late Victorian times, all of whom eventually faded away without reaching any great heights in the famous old competition.

This club, now in its 70th year, has pride of place and is in the first round alongside 10 previous Cup winners, including Coventry City, Portsmouth and Sheffield United.

Mr Sturmey added: “Taunton Town has come through some dark days but it has been in the ascendancy under this manager, and what the squad and staff have achieved is beyond our wildest dreams.

“This is for people such as Harold and Marina Needs, who have worked and supported the club for more than 60 years, and Tom Harris, who was here in the late 40s when the club were playing on park pitches wherever they could find one.

Somerset County Gazette:

“Martin Dongworth, Andy Power, Alan Slade and Brian Rose also do an immense amount of work behind the scenes and are crucial to the success of the club – and the supporters were superb tonight and outsang the home fans.”

First round opponents Barrow, from Cumbria, were a Football League club until 1972 when they lost their place in the old system when outvoted and replaced by Hereford United, who gained a place on the back of the never-to-be-forgotten extra-time victory over Newcastle United.


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Since then Barrow have strived to return and currently are fourth in the league, and they reached this tie by beating Tranmere Rovers last Saturday.

Taunton now have the task of returning to earth in time for Saturday’s Southern League match at home to Winchester City, which will give the town the chance to congratulate all involved and prepare for the big day in just over a fortnight.