Canvey Island enter the Emirates FA Cup this Saturday afternoon, with a home tie against Spartan South Midlands side Milton Keynes Irish in the 1st Qualifying Round.

Our Opponents

Based in the Fenny Stratford area of Milton Keynes, the Irish were formed in 2020 as an amalgamation of three clubs in the local area - Milton Keynes Robins, Unite MK and Milton Keynes Irish Veterans. They took the place of Milton Keynes Robins to enter the Spartan South Midlands Division 1.

Following on from the curtailment of the 20/21 season due to the Covid-19 pandemic, an FA restructure promoted them to the Premier Division using the tallied points from Robins 19-20 season. From there, they have gone from strength to strength, only losing out in the playoffs to FC Romania last season to deny them a place at Step 4 of the Non League Pyramid.

They've started the 24/25 season brilliantly, having won all 5 of their opening league matches, as well as progressing in the FA Vase.
In the preliminary rounds of the FA Cup, they've scalped two higher ranked sides to get there - beating Welwyn Garden City at home before defeating our Island rivals Concord Rangers 3-1 to set up a date with the Gulls.

Manager Terry Shrieves has a wealth of attacking talent in his side, with star player Mason Spence having already grabbed 6 goals in 8 appearances this season, with Ryan Smith and George Shrieves having also bagged 5 and 4 respectively.

This will be a first ever competitive meeting between the two sides, meaning the winner will be etched into stat books forever more!

The Gulls
Canvey meanwhile, got their season up and running on Bank Holiday Monday, putting a bad start behind them to record a 2-1 derby win away at Bowers & Pitsea in the Isthmian League Premier.

Goals in either half from Chris Harris and Finlay Dorrell - their first league goals for the club - put Canvey in control, and despite the hosts halving the deficit, it was the Gulls who held on to record a much needed win, moving into what's sure to be a busy September on both League and Cup duties.

The Gulls reached the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup last season, defeating Lowestoft Town comprehensively at home before going out in the next round after an epic dual with higher ranked Braintree Town - the two sides drawing 1-1 at Park Lane before the Gulls suffered a cruel extra time defeat in the replay, after leading for much of the game.

Canvey have won all of their entering appearances in the FA Cup for the last 5 seasons, with the last time they failed to reach at least the 2nd Qualifying Round being in the 21/22 season, as they were beaten in the Preliminary Round after a replay with Bedford Town.
Several of the Gulls squad will also have fond memories of the famous run to the 2nd Round Proper in 2020, where they progressed through 6 rounds before finally being defeated by then National League side Boreham Wood.

***
Yellow Army, thank you for sticking by us in a difficult opening month, and we were delighted to reward your loyalty with a win last Monday.

Brad Wellmen noted in his interview that "that one was for the fans" and spoke of the desire to now kick on and use that win as a catalyst in what looks set to be another action packed month.

Park Lane holds many special FA Cup memories, and the people of the Island love to get out and back their team in the world's most famous domestic cup competition.

We look forward to having you cheering us on again as we hope to start another famous run.

Come on you Gulls!

Kick Off - 3:00pm

Admission Prices
Adults - £12
Concessions - £8
U16s - £3*

*Accompanied by an Adult.

PLEASE NOTE - Season Tickets are not valid for this fixture.

Merchandise
We'll have a range of club merchandise on sale in the clubhouse, including the new 24/25 kits!

Parking
Parking at the Steves Taxi's Stadium is free to all but limited to first come / first serve. Additional parking can be found on the adjacent side roads, but please be mindful of our neighbours if using this option. Parking on Park Lane itself is also strongly advised against.

In The Clubhouse
We have a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks stocked in the clubhouse.

We also have live football on our big screens, including:

12:30pm
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Burnley vs Blackburn Rovers

5:30pm
West Ham United vs Manchester City