16th February 2024 – The Quarter-Final draws for the Isuzu FA Vase and Trophy took place on Monday, 12th February 2024, at Isuzu UK’s headquarters in Solihull. The draw had been highly anticipated by non-league football fans, and was presented by talkSPORT’s Ian Danter, who was joined by former England captain Stuart Pearce and Isuzu’s roaming reporter, Tony Incenzo.
Isuzu’s headquarters were a fitting location to host 40 attendees from The FA, talkSPORT and competing clubs. The showroom sported a large LED screen accompanied by the impressive New-Look D-Max V-Cross in Dolomite White, with the Isuzu FA Trophy and Vase silverware in the foreground, setting the scene ahead of an enthralling Quarter-Final draw.
The draws for the Quarter-Finals were broadcast live on talkSPORT2’s ‘The Social’ programme, and the remaining non-league sides will be hoping to take one step closer to Non-League Finals Day, which will be hosted at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, 11th May 2024.
The winners of The FA Trophy Quarter-Finals will receive £7,500 whilst losing teams will collect £2,000. In The FA Vase, the winning sides will receive £4,125 and the losing teams £1,350.
Isuzu FA Vase Quarter-Final Fixtures:
- North Greenford vs Romford;
- Worcester City vs Emley;
- Hallam or Lincoln United vs Bridgwater United or Deal Town;
- Highworth Town or Great Wakering Rovers vs Falmouth Town;
Isuzu FA Trophy Quarter-Final Fixtures:
- Gateshead vs Peterborough Sport;
- Bromley vs Barnet;
- Wealdstone or Hendon vs Solihull Moors;
- Macclesfield vs Bishop’s Stortford or Coalville Town;
Participating in his first live cup draw, Stuart Pearce discussed his experiences playing in The FA Trophy and how it will feel for the players to reach Non-League Finals Day at Wembley Stadium: “The idea of playing at the iconic stadium of Wembley was so special for someone like me who grew up in the borough of Wembley and playing non-league football at the start of my career. Anyone who can get to Wembley and get their hands on either of the trophies will remember that moment for the rest of their life.”
Isuzu UK have been proud sponsors of The FA Trophy and Vase for over a year. Managing Director for Isuzu UK, Alan Able, said: “It is a great connection for our brand to be associated with non-league grassroots football. Our network of Isuzu dealers are very much community-based and there is a superb connection between football community clubs and our community-based dealerships. It is an extremely exciting day to host the Quarter-Final draws here for all our staff and dealers, as well as the clubs that have come along today to see who they have been drawn against.”
Tony Incenzo spoke about the importance of the Isuzu FA Vase and Trophy to the clubs taking part: “They don’t pay the greatest wages at this level and that sort of prize money can keep them going for quite a while. The chance of getting to Wembley offers incredible publicity. The publicity, the finances and the goodwill build up the further you progress in the competition.”
Tony Incenzo also shared what he believed could be the tie of the round for both the Isuzu FA Vase and Trophy:
FA Vase – Worcester City vs Emley
“Worcester City are a fantastic club with a great pedigree in non-league football having only lost one game in the Hellenic League so far this season. Emley are flying high, second in the Northern Counties East Football League. Whoever wins this game will certainly fancy their chances.”
FA Trophy – Bromley vs Barnet
“It’s a top of the table clash in the National League with Bromley being the highest ranked team left in the competition. Barnet also have a good pedigree running second in the National league and going back to 1972 where they finished runners up in The FA Trophy at Wembley Stadium.”
