AC London will continue to test themselves at national level this weekend, and maybe have a grand old time by the seaside while they’re at it.
The Combined Counties League Division One outfit, who were only formed in 2012 by chairman and manager Prince Choudary, who was 16-years-old at the time, start their second-ever Buildbase FA Vase campaign with a trip to East Sussex to take on the Southern Combination League’s Ringmer on Saturday.
In August, AC London played in the FA Cup for the first time, beating Crawley Down Gatwick before being beaten 5-1 by Southern League Egham Town in the Preliminary Round and Choudary is anticipating another occasion to savour for his team.
“The FA Cup and FA Vase games are special. The Vase final is at Wembley and everyone gets excited,” said the 21-year-old.
“We’re a bit more grounded and we know to take it game-by-game.
“I’m taking down a big squad and we’re going to enjoy the occasion tomorrow. We’re going there to win but we’re going to try and have a good trip down, and hopefully go to the beach after.
“I think they [Ringmer] are not doing too well this season from the results I’ve seen so far, but it will still be a tough game because they were established over 110 years ago, so they’ve got a massive history, which is contrary to us.
“With the FA Cup, that was brilliant for the club. We’d never played in the FA Cup before, so it was good to experience that and the players were absolutely overjoyed, to be honest.
“Now, with the FA Vase, we’re also in the same position.
“We’ve been excited since we dropped out of the FA Cup and looking forward to this one.”
Buildbase FA Vase history
AC London played in the Buildbase FA Vase for the first time in their history last term and made it to the First Round Proper, where they were beaten 2-1 by Hellenic League Highworth Town in a replay that was initially abandoned due to a serious injury.
Ringmer reached the Third Round in 1977–78 and 2007–08.
Did you know?
AC London were founded after the 2011 London riots to stop youngsters falling into gang life in south London.
One to watch
Choudary picks out 19-year-old former Chelsea academy striker Michael Junior as a player that could play a key role against Ringmer.
He said: “He’s scored six goals in two games in pre-season and already this season, he’s scored three in two.
“He’s a left-footed player but he used to be at Chelsea and he broke his right foot. He’s at a good level now but hopefully, we’ll get him back up there.”
The prize
The winners of Saturday’s tie, who will progress to Second Round Qualifying and play Worthing United or Horley Town at home, will net £550 in prize money.
