FA Cup history in the making for 'community club'

The World Cup is still in most football fan's memories but already, the new season is coming into view and for one men's side, that means a historical debut.

For the first time in their 100-year history, Knowle Football Club will play in the FA Cup - in the Extra Preliminary Round of the competition.

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"The lads are buzzing, there is a real excitement around the club. They are really up for it. we are going in for the game confident, but respectful," manager Clive Seeley said.

The game will be a West Midlands derby for the Robins as they host Darlaston Town, and whoever comes out on top then faces a trip to Coleshill Town for the Preliminary Round on 22 August.

The teams will be playing on the pitch at Knowle FC in Solihull, which has struggled during the recent heatwave.

"It's like a desert, it's brown shall we say, looks like a haystack rolled out. It's the same for both sides. We try and play football, and do our best on it," Seeley said.

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"Once it gets a bit of rain on it, it'll be fine."

Knowle FC were established in 1926, and have been based at Hampton Road ever since.

Seeley manages the team with his nephew, Matt Seeley, and described it as a community club.

"We had a couple of good crowds, we've had a two home games so far. We had around 450 at the first one, which is great for a club at our level," he said.

"When I started there were 10 fans and a dog, now we're just growing and growing.

"We'd love to see a bumper crowd down there on what promises to be a special occasion for the club and for Knowle."

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They kick-off at 15:00 BST on Saturday.

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