Tadcaster and Shaw Lane are two of the NCEL’s best hopes in the FA Vase this season
You have to go right back to 1997 to find the last Northern Counties East League club to have appeared at Wembley in the FA Vase Final.
That’s right. North Ferriby United, who lost 3-0 to Whitby Town. It is a game which included current Bradford (Park Avenue) manager John Deacey being booked by World Cup referee Graham Poll.
Brigg Town did win the Vase in 2003, but that was played at Upton Park because Wembley was being rebuilt.
The NCEL had a good run in the 1990s, but the formation of the Conference North in 2004 and the addition of the NPL Division One North/South split in 2007 has proved detrimental to the NCEL.
Since 2004, the NCEL has lost 14 clubs to the NPL – a staggering figure when you consider that just four teams have left the Northern League for the NPL since the same year.
One (Newcastle Blue Star) folded and another, Durham City, returned to the familiar territory.
The NCEL lost strength, while the Northern League arguably became stronger because of the lack of many North East sides in the NPL and beyond.
With NCEL clubs notoriously receiving Northern League clubs in each round of the Vase, the league has struggled in the competition.
Only Staveley have reached the semi-finals since Brigg’s win. Only three other teams – Retford, Pickering and Eastwood – have gone past the fourth round.
Now the NCEL is the strongest it has been in years and the time has come for some glory in the prestigious competition.
Seven clubs remain in it this season and Tadcaster Albion and Shaw Lane Aquaforce are two of the league’s best hopes for Vase glory.
Shaw Lane have the most difficult task with being drawn away at West Auckland Town, while Tadcaster host Morpeth Town.
Barton Town Old boys face a tough ask at Marske United.
Get behind the NCEL clubs in the Vase tomorrow.