Weston-super-Mare face Grimsby Town in the third round of the FA Cup, already the most successful side in the competition’s history, but they are still not satisfied.
At Weston-super-Mare’s 84th attempt, it was one of the great fairy tales of this season’s FA Cup. The National League South side will be hoping to take 600 fans to Grimsby Town and build on their impressive cup run.
Weston-super-Mare chairman Oli Bliss has finally taken the club into the third round for the first time in the club’s proud history. That figure surpassed even his father, former chairman Paul Bliss, who was in charge for 39 years, having reached the second round in 2004 when they lost to Northampton Town.
The father and son double act are enjoying the romance of the FA Cup but also know it means everything to a non-league club like them.
Weston-super-Mare are the last team remaining in the FA Cup, along with Macclesfield, and the semi-professional club’s membership is made up of teachers, sports coaches and workers.
They have also received support from England star Ollie Watkins, who was on loan at Weston-super-Mare when he was a youngster at Exeter City, and remains friends with current players Jacob Kane and Jason Pope, with a signed Aston Villa shirt displayed on the clubhouse wall.
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And the clubhouse itself is truly amazing. Optima Stadium seats 3,500 fans and is located in the Roundhouse, on the outskirts of the seaside town in southwest England, 500 miles round trip to Grimsby.
But this is what the FA Cup is all about. There has been a lot of buzz around the venue in the lead up to this weekend and the additional funding could help strengthen the team and advance plans to develop a new 5,000-seat ground for existing teams.
Oli reckons they have already saved up £200,000 and the winner of Saturday’s tie will receive £121,500 and £40,000 in TV fees as the match will be broadcast live on Discovery Plus.
But Liverpool fan Oli doesn’t want the situation to end just yet. “Round three is a huge stage for non-league clubs,” he said. “We came very close in 2004, but we never played in the second round. They were too good for us.
Weston-super-Mare aim for more history in the FA Cup (Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
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“But we always knew we had a chance against Chelmsford in this second round and we feel we have a chance against Grimsby on Saturday as well. We’re going to go in believing we can do it.”
And Oli said he would give his players a bonus if they can upset Grimsby in the FA Cup, who have already caused a lot of buzz this season by defeating Manchester United in the League Cup.
“We had a bonus system, but we didn’t expect it to grow this much, so we have to think about other things,” he said. “The players have already traveled to Liverpool and had a night out on the town and they all went out dressed as Minions! We don’t know what they’ll do this time.”
There’s romance in Weston-super-Mare. But the FA Cup is also the lifeblood of non-league clubs. It increases interest in finances, the club, and gives them dreams. It’s huge for the whole football pyramid.
Aston Villa shirts displayed in the clubhouse (Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
Oli said: “It’s very important for non-league football because it has a big impact on the budget, it gives the fans a great day out and it can also have an impact on the league season, so it’s good for us as well.”
“Non-league attendances are way up and there’s a lot of buzz around non-league football. I think the FA Cup is a big part of that.”
“This is huge for us. We are trying to improve the team and break new ground, but we have only budgeted for two cup wins, so the first round, the second round and now this is a real bonus.”
“If we can continue to win cup games, we can start building 97 apartments, a new clubhouse, everything is going well and we will eventually have a whole new ground apart from the pitch and the big stand.
Weston-super-Mare are hoping for a little more FA Cup magic (Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
“Even before Saturday’s game we had already raised around £200,000 which will help us continue to progress in the league (currently second place) and it is also a huge amount for the fans.”
They are already dreaming about who they could get if they make it through. “My dad is a Man United fan, but I’m a Liverpool fan, so I’ll choose either one.
“Actually, an away day in the Premier League would be great, but please stay away from home! It would mean a lot to us financially.”
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