Steve Jupp, BA11's Club Historian, looks back at some memorable campaigns in the non-league's favourite cup competition!
Is this the Robins' best ever FA Trophy run? The answer is not straightforward and could be both yes and no. The details...
This is the FIFTH time that the Robins have reached the last-64 stage of the competition and they've had some considerably easier rides than the current season's marathon run.
Back in the 1979-80 campaign, through being Western League champions, they received a bye to the Third Qualifying Round (in those days the one before the last 64) where they beat Falmouth 3-1 before going down 2-1 at home to Hastings United.
They received a similar bye the following year, overcame Saltash in QR3 and went out to Yeovil, drawing 1-1 here at The Hill before a 2-1 replay defeat at Huish.
Moving on to 1984-85, that unpredictable Peter Thomas team (fantastic in the cups, often dire in the league) went one better after disposing of Shepton Mallet (3-1), Minehead (1-0), Salisbury (7-1) and Windsor & Eton 2-0) by making the last 32 where they met their match at Boston United (0-4). The record books show that as Round Two but the FA Trophy (less teams, fewer rounds) and non-league football in general were structured differently then and that fabulous run would equate to Round Four today.
Fast forward to the Covid-curtailed campaign of 2020-21, the run went: bye, Totton (2-2 pens), Farnborough (3-0), North Leigh (1-0), Hampton & Richmond (walkover) before the farce of that Third Round (last-64) tie at Maidstone that was never played.
Prior to this Saturday’s Third Round clash with Torquay, the Robins have won FIVE Trophy ties already, something no other Frome Town team has achieved in a single season and who's to say they can't go further still?
What a month! The big one this Saturday in the Trophy and two pivotal home games in the league! Don't forget to book your tickets and pre-order the collector's edition programme in advance!
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