Paulton want a repeat

If you’re looking for an example of just how much football can affect a whole community then look no further than Southern League Division One side Paulton Rovers.

In 2009 the club from a small village in Somerset hosted Paul Lambert’s Norwich City, who sat five divisions above them in League One, in the FA Cup first round proper.

This was the furthest Paulton had ever reached in the competition and although they were comfortably beaten 7-0 by Grant Holt, Wes Hoolahan, Chris Martin et al – the game transformed the community.

Paulton Rovers v Cirencester Town

The Buildbase FA Trophy
First Round Qualifying
3pm, Saturday 28 October 2017
By Richard Dore

“When we played Norwich back in 2009 the whole place was buzzing,” explained club chairman David Bissex. “It was just amazing.

“The local television stations were coming out every night to film with us and that went on for about ten days, it was just awesome.

“All the shops and houses had posters and banners in them - the people from around here do come out in their thousands when it arises.”

Rovers welcome Cirencester Town to Winterfield Road in the Buildbase FA Trophy first round qualifying on Saturday, and Bissex is hoping for a similar run to that famous effort in 2009.

Source The FA