SE Dons are notorious in the online football world, known for their Sunday league videos between 2013 – 2024, until they made the step into the non-league system.
The Dons will be making history in this weekends FA Cup fixture against Sholing, in just two years going from council pitches in South London, to being in the same round and competition as historic teams such as Southend United, Carlisle United and Scunthorpe United.
The journey started at The Jungle, losing most weeks to teams established in the London Sunday League system. Don Strapzy, real name Andrew McHugh, founded the club and played in its early life alongside some staples in the SE Dons folklore.
The current goalkeeper, known as Big G, is the one of only two players to still be with the SE Dons from its origin back in 2013. He had recently been in the news as he was asked to replace his late cousin as a leader back in his homeland, Uganda.
The other being Ryan Palmer, someone who every SE Dons fan will know and love. Palmer, mainly utilised as a full-back now, is one of the top goalscorer’s in the clubs history. Palmer used to balance playing both Saturday and Sunday league football, sacrificing so much for the club that call themselves a family club.
With the magnitude of the game comes an emotional time for people at the club. Andrew losing both parents in recent years who were massively influential in the start of the club with the slogans, ‘anything for Paula’ and ‘long live the Old Skool’ recited at every game.
Past heroes of the Dons have been attending their games in the FA Cup, Big Doug, Mad B, Flipz, Zak Ansah, the son of club chair Andy Ansah, to name a few have been supporting their team during their unprecedented run.
The Cup run so far
It started in the Extra Preliminary round with an away tie at Lancing. The Dons would smash the South Coast side 6-0 in their first ever FA Cup fixture. Punjab United would be next, with a 1-1 draw in the first game. The replay would see the Dons win 2-0 at home, making their way into the 1st qualifying round.
Erith Town would be the next victims of the SE Dons, with yet another 2-0 victory. Teams from the National League North and South would now enter the draw but they would be drawn away at step 3 side Chichester City.
Heading into extra time, the Dons would find themselves 2-1 down. After a wonder goal from Ralfi Hand and an Alex Teniola quick fire goal a few minutes later, the Dons had clawed their way out of defeat and into the Third Qualifying round.
Alex Teniola at Chichester City – credit: smw._photography on Instagram
Weymouth would be next on the Dons kill list. A team who have previously made the Fourth round proper of the cup before. The Terras would be shocked, a massive 5-1 would create the chance for the SE Dons to make the First Round proper in their first ever time competing, if they defeat Sholing on Saturday.
No matter the result, the run SE Dons have had in this years FA Cup has been special and they have a chance at creating even more history for the clubs short time of existing.
