Moving through the divisions can take its toll on non-league sides, with stadium expansions and renovations often needed to progress.
And for Spixworth FC it seemed their promotion to the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League was going to be void last season when the local council refused to sanction a required stadium upgrade.
However, instead of accepting their fate and remaining in the Anglian Combination Premier, the club took a massive gamble – which has handsomely paid off.
The club relocated and rebranded, with the help of the Norfolk FA, and this weekend they could secure their place in the Buildbase FA Vase fifth round.
Now called Norwich CBS, their fourth name in ten years, the club plays at the Norfolk FA’s headquarters and are holding their own in their new league – where they sit in eighth place.
Their unlikely cup run has captured the imagination of their new home village of Bowthorpe but for co-manager Mark Collison it is a fantastic reward after plenty of uncertainly off the pitch last year.
“We were prepared to invest a lot of money and give the old stadium a makeover but Spixworth Council did not give it the green light,” he said.
“Luckily, the Norfolk FA have been excellent with us, they have let us have their ground because we were unable to develop our own and it’s become our home now.
“The club has had to move around a bit in recent years and we have had a few name changes but we have found a good home and we’re really kicking on and making it successful.
“My brother, Andrew, and I are co-managers and as soon as we saw the club and met with the owners we wanted to come here because we saw it as a place with great potential. Now it’s paying off.”
Standing in their way this weekend is Spartan South Midlands League side Leighton Town, but Collison is already looking beyond the Bedfordshire club and insists they can go the whole way.
“Playing in competitions like the FA Vase is what we wanted to achieve when we started here. It’s massive for the players, fans and everyone connected with it,” he added.
“And I think we can beat anyone, I really do. I knew getting through the qualifiers would be hard but I thought if we could do that than we would be able to have a real go.
“We play excellent football and there is a real feel-good factor about the place currently. We know it will be a tough game but I think we can beat them.
“Can we go on and win it? Why not.”
Did you know?
Norwich CBS were first called Norwich Union from their formation in 1888 until 2008, when they became AFC Norwich.
Following that, they became Spixworth United, Spixworth FC and finally Norwich CBS.
FA Vase history
This is only the third season that Norwich CBS have entered the Buildbase FA Vase in their history.
The club, then called Norwich Union, was knocked out in the first round by Histon in 1977-78 before losing in the preliminary round to March Town United a year later.
The prize
The winner of Saturday’s tie will net £1,875 whilst the loser will gain £625.
