Frankie Morgan ready for another taste of FA Cup history with Cray Wanderers

By Sam Gardiner

Very few Step 3 footballers get the opportunity to face EFL opposition in the FA Cup – but Frankie Morgan is about to do it for the second time.

As Cray Wanderers prepare to face League One promotion-chasers Stockport County on Sunday, left-back Morgan is relishing the prospect of another big occasion, having been part of the Sheppey United side who reached the first round for the first time in 2023 before losing 4-1 at home to Walsall.

“Opportunities like this don’t come around very often, I’ve been fortunate,” the former Charlton Athletic youth player told The Non-League Paper.

“For many, the first round of the FA Cup is the pinnacle of where you’re going to get to. I was really lucky to get another chance a few years ago [at Sheppey], but I know some boys have never had the experience, so we’re going to enjoy it together in front of the TV cameras.”

For exclusive stories and all the detailed Non-League news you need, subscribe to The Non-League Paper website, digital edition, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day.

WATCH THE LATEST NON-LEAGUE GOALMOUTH HERE

You can now listen to the Non-League Goalmouth on both Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Challenge

But Morgan is under no illusions about the challenge awaiting the part-timers.

“We’ve been doing some preparation as a team, looking at how they play,” the 24-year-old explains.

“As soon as we were drawn against them I began to watch clips of them – we know that it’s going to be a very difficult game for us.”

After helping Sheppey to their maiden first round appearance, Morgan has now repeated the feat with The Wands.

Proud

He knows exactly how much the occasion means to the oldest club in London, playing in the first round for the first time in their 166-year history.

“It’s a massive achievement for the whole club,” he says. “Some people have been here a long time and it’s never happened before.

“To be part of the first team to qualify is something we as a team are really proud of.”

READ MORE: When is the FA Cup second round proper draw? Date, time, TV channel and ball numbers