The ‘Non-League Super Cup’ may sound like a glorified pre-season friendly but it is the perfect strapline for South Shields v York City as they prepare to battle on Saturday.
The pair meet in the Emirates FA Cup third round qualifying at Mariners Park, just four months on from a momentous afternoon in which they both lifted silverware at Wembley Stadium.
South Shields were the first to hit the jackpot, as they downed Cleethorpes Town 4-0 in the Buildbase FA Vase final to complete an historic season where they finished with four trophies.
And hours later York City claimed a five-goal thriller against Macclesfield Town to win the Buildbase FA Trophy for the second time in their history – as part of a superb Wembley Stadium double-header.
That day the two teams celebrated alongside one another, but now, in true Super Cup style, they go head-to-head in one of the most intriguing ties of the round.
“We bumped into the lads after our game at Wembley,” said South Shields co-manager Graham Fenton.
“We were coming off after our celebrations and they were in the tunnel ready to go on, so it was a strange moment.
“The whole day worked well, we bumped into each other and it was a great occasion.
“It is the Non-League Super Cup as they are calling it. It is going to be a tough game, I am sure they have had us watched and we have had them watched.”
York are the heavy favourites to win this match at Mariners Park. They are two places higher up the football pyramid than South Shields, despite their relegation to the National North last season.
But Fenton knows how to steer sides through cup competitions.
The former Aston Villa player has won at Wembley in two of the last three seasons having won the FA Vase with North Shields in 2015.
As a player, he won the League Cup twice – once with Villa in 1994, and then again with Leicester City six years later.
“If you get to Wembley once, then you have done well but I have been lucky enough as a player and manager,” he said.
“We are maybe stretching it to get to the final this year, but you never know.
“We were looking for the home draw after a tough away game at Darlington in the last round. Sometimes you are torn between, do we want a lower-league side who we have a good chance against or a big boy?
“We go into it with confidence following the Darlington game, we have nothing to lose. We are huge under dogs and hopefully it will be a full house.”
Emirates FA Cup history
Victory would see South Shields reach the fourth round qualifying for the first time in their history. They have reached this stage once before, in 1997-1998.
In contrast, York City are regulars in the first round proper and even reached the semi-finals in 1955. They faced Newcastle United at Roker Park, and lost 2-0.
Did you know?
South Shields boast a number of former professional players in their ranks. Ex-Sunderland midfielder Julio Arca is joined by former Newcastle striker Matty Pattison and Falkirk striker Carl Finnigan.
The prize
The winners will pocket £12,500 and book a spot in the fourth round qualifying.
