Rye confident of FA Cup return

With the new clubhouse now well underway and Rye confident of meeting the ground grading criteria by the end of March deadline, the Quarterboys fully intend to enter the 2012/13 FA Cup.

Rye chairman Clive Taylor said: “The facilities will be such that we can enter it and we definitely will enter it next year. The only reason we didn’t enter this year was ground grading.”

The vast majority of Rye’s fellow Sussex County League Division One clubs take part in the FA Cup and as well as the prestige associated with the competition, there is also considerable prize money up for grabs.

Southend Manor - who play Rye United’s FA Vase conquerors Three Bridges tomorrow (Saturday) - earned in excess of £17,000 for reaching fourth round qualifying this season.

Rye have taken part in the FA Cup on five previous occasions, all in successive seasons during the last decade, but they’ve yet to record a win, or play a game at The Salts for that matter.

With the extra preliminary and preliminary rounds historically taking place at a time when The Salts is in the hands of Rye Cricket Club, Rye would have to find an alternative ground if drawn at home.

See today’s Rye Observer for the full article.