Clapton CFC Men’s First Team will hit the road to Wembley in August as they enter the FA Vase once again.
The FA have today published their list of 596 teams taking part in the tournament with Clapton CFC on there for the second time. The draw for the first two rounds will be held on Friday, July 5 and the first qualifying round takes place on Saturday, August 24.
We debuted in the FA Vase our second season, 2019/20, having just been promoted to Step 7. The run was short-lived as we lost 5-1 away to Step 6 side Wivenhoe Town, who were top of the Eastern Counties League Division One South at the time.
The FA changed the entry requirements the following season so that only Step 5 and 6 teams can now play in the competition.
Similarly, the Men’s FA Cup requirements changed and it is now only for teams in Step 5 or above, aside from a handful of Step 6 sides chosen by the best points per game last season. So we will have to wait a while longer for our debut in that, although the Women’s First Team’s exploits in the Women’s FA Cup are the stuff of legend.
FA Vase round dates
- First Round Qualifying – Saturday 24 August 2024
- Second Round Qualifying – Saturday 21 September 2024
- First Round Proper – Saturday 19 October 2024
- Second Round Proper – Saturday 9 November 2024
- Third Round Proper – Saturday 7 December 2024
- Fourth Round Proper – Saturday 11 January 2025
- Fifth Round Proper – Saturday 1 February 2025
- Sixth Round Proper – Saturday 1 March 2025
- Semi Final 1st Leg – Saturday 29 March 2025 / 2nd Leg – Saturday 5 April 2025
- Final – Saturday 10 or Sunday 11 May 2025
FA Vase prize funds
- First Round Qualifying £550 winners £160 losers
- Second Round Qualifying £725 and £225
- First Round Proper £825 and £250
- Second Round Proper £900 and £275
- Third Round Proper £1125 and £350
- Fourth Round Proper £1875 and £600
- Fifth Round Proper £2250 and £725
- Quarter Final £4125 and £1350
- Semi Final £5500 and £1725
- Final £30000 and £15000