11th March 2022 - FA Trophy & FA Vase Quarter Finals, Needham Market & Loughborough Students

Season 6, Episode 29,   Mar 11, 2022, 05:00 AM

As the FA Trophy and FA Vase both hit the Quarter Final mark, Tim Fuell speaks with two ex-professional players who are finding their feet in non league management and making a great fist of it.... as well as thoroughly enjoying it.
First up, Kevin Horlock. A successful player at clubs like Manchester CIty and West Ham as well as Northern Ireland, his love for non-league developed when he dropped down at the end of his playing career and he's now back in charge at one of those clubs he turned out for. Little Needham Market have been pulling up metaphoric trees since his arrival frustrated by the COVID hit seasons. This year however the FA Trophy has shown their strength and team spirit, causing upsets all around. As the lowest ranked team left in the competition this weekend they face their toughest test with the visit of Stockport County the highest ranked side in all non league at present. That doesn't worry Horlock or this team on and off the field at the Suffolk club for whom he is full of admiration and praise.
Our resident statistician Phil Annets is back with his @FAVaseFactfile hat on previewing the 4 ties with 8 teams from 8 divisions and 7 different leagues this weekend. All just 2 wins away from Wembley.
Hoping for FA Vase success is former Everton player Jamie Clapham who after high profile coaching roles with Middleseborough, Coventry, Barnsley and Leeds is now manager of Loughborough Students. Not only the United Counties Premier League North Side and team lining up in the FA Vase Quarters this weekend, but also the side now in the BUCS final later this month at Basford United against Nottingham Trent University. The facilities he says rivals many professional clubs, but they are students often paying their way through their courses, but competing in a semi-professional environment. The challenge however, is one he is enjoying.
Rounding off the show is Jon Couch, Executive Editor of The Non League Paper. There's talk on managerial changes at AFC Fylde, Ashford Town Middlesex and the goings on at the top of the National League. Plus a world record breaking penalty shoot out.