AS SOUTHALL celebrate turning 150, an FA Cup run in the famous old competition's 150th anniversary year would be perfect timing to raise the ‘sleeping giant's' profile.
A famous name in Non-League circles who helped nurture the likes of Alan Devonshire – an FA Cup winner with West Ham in 1980 – and Les Ferdinand, the west London club hit on hard times after departing their Western Road home in 1992.
They've since led a nomadic existence and currently ground-share at Ashford Town (Middx). However, the Combined Counties Premier Division North outfit have launched a #BringSouthall- Home campaign to coincide with their 150th anniversary and are eager to embrace a community which has a large South Asian population.
As they prepare for a trip to Deal Town in the extra preliminary round on Saturday, Southall are hoping an FA Cup run could provide a timely boost to their fortunes in terms of publicity and prestige. If they are successful, fans may want to celebrate with a Videoslots Bonus Code.
History
“We're a sleeping giant,” said boss Max Howell, who is entering his fourth season in charge after previously coaching and playing for the club. “People look at the job here and say that I could go higher, but they don't understand how the club works or know the club's history.
“Our next step is to get a new ground and the chairman (Sanjeev Sharma) and board members are working hard on that and talking to the council. Fingers crossed, we are close to getting the club back to Southall and working with the community.
“We've been to Burnham, Hanwell Town and now Ashford Town – we've been drifting around. We have no youth team, I have to sort a training pitch and carry things in my car. There's no base facility.
“It's important for us to grow roots, to come home and really start again.”
While the FA Cup isn't likely to be heading Southall's way in the coming season, they have already put some silverware in their trophy cabinet. Last Saturday's 2-1 win at Uxbridge earned them the 150th Anniversary Challenge Cup and was the perfect fillip ahead of more pressing league and cup commitments.
Chance
“I spent six years there as a player, so it was nice to go back,” said Howell, 35. “Against a team from a league above, it was a chance for us to prove ourselves and I thought the players did that, especially after going a goal down.
“It's about good habits in training and matches, and we are here to try to win. The players got a trophy and it's always nice to bring something back to show the fans and the club.”
Having kicked off their league campaign at Reading City yesterday and with a trip to Spelthorne Sports on Tuesday, Southall should be in good nick by the time they visit Southern Counties East Premier outfit Deal Town.
“It's a difficult game,” admitted Howell. “We went there a year or so ago and they knocked us out of the FA Vase. At least we know the trip and the ground, and if we want to be where we want to get to, we have to put on a display against them.”
‘We're a sleeping giant. Fingers crossed, we are close to getting the club back to Southall and working with the community'
Max Howell
While some of the big boys see the Cup almost as a nuisance, it still means plenty lower down.
“As a kid, I grew up watching it and we're lucky to have the chance to test ourselves against a team like Deal from our level,” added Howell. “You go game by game and it would be nice to get through. The belief would only grow.
“Hornchurch showed what's possible last season by winning the FA Trophy – they punched well above their weight. This is our opportunity to show how good we are.”
The victors visit CB Hounslow United or Redhill.
