WHERE to start with Billericay Town? Well, there is a history before Glenn Tamplin.

The Essex club was established way back in 1880, and won the FA Vase three times in four seasons between 1976 and 1979, ahead of their move up to the Isthmian League.

They yo-yoed between the divisions for a couple of decades before the first of four runs to the FA Cup first round proper in 1997, and in 2012 they finally made it to National League South, only to be relegated back down the next season.

Multi-millionaire Tamplin became owner in December 2016, funding several high-profile signings – ex-West Ham and Liverpool defender Paul Konchesky and former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara - who remains at the club - to name but two.

Last season they claimed the Isthmian Premier Division title, and this year they have taken National League South by storm, topping the division with eight wins from 12 games.

That’s despite off-field disruption, with three managers already this campaign and Tamplin – who had a spell as manager last season – putting the club up for sale in September, due to “personal abuse” and a complaint to the police regarding alleged drugs use.

However, Tamplin remains owner and new manager Dean Brennan has impressed since arriving in September, following the sacking of Harry Wheeler - reportedly done by text five minutes before the end of a defeat at Chippenham.

Brennan had been in charge of Hemel Hempstead Town since 2012, so Taunton fans looking for good omens can take encouragement from the fact that the Peacocks knocked out Brennan’s Hemel at this stage of the competition in 2016.

Crucial to the Peacocks’ hopes will be stopping Jake Robinson, who leads the National South scoring charts with 12 goals.