KICKOFF COUNTDOWN
After a hectic first month of fixtures, the Blues now focus their energy on the Emirates FA Cup. With our new found standing in the football pyramid we enter the competition one stage later than usual and come in at the First Round Qualifying stage. There will be 272 teams competing in this round of the historic cup competition over 136 fixtures and Josh Brehaut will definitely be eying up a first round date in September.

The Blues will be content about proceedings so far, as much as we may be ruing over some of our recent results, we have still picked up almost half of the points available to us in the early part of the season. The Blues enter this FA Cup tie following a narrow win against our friends over at Matlock FC on the bank holiday.

We do have some recent fond memories of playing in this competition, I mean, who could forget Stevo’s rocket in front of the home town faithful against National League side South Sheilds last season? The Blue’s will no doubt be wanting to emulate the highs of last years cup run that saw us come so close to the First round proper.

The True Blue Army will assemble at?
A favorable cup home draw for Leek (put not to be taken for granted). The Clubhouse and Blues Bites are open & football will be on the telly before the game, with merchandise will be sale from the bar.

In the event of a replay, the game will be held at the F Ball Community Stadium on Tuesday 3 September 2024 as Ashbys home ground is currently not available.

How much to get in?

• Adult - £12
• Concession - £8
• U18s - £4
• U8s - FREE

Please note all U18s must be accompanied by a full paying Adult or Concession. This is a Cup game with a shared revenue model in place, so SEASON TICKETS and PASSES are NOT VALID for the game

You can buy your tickets ONLINE HERE or at AED in Derby Street or pay on the gate (cash and card)

The Opposition?

• Ashby Ivanhoe – The Knights
• Founded – 1948
• Manager – Andy Gray
• Ground – NFU Sports Ground
• League – United Counties League, Premier Division North

Their Website?
Ashby Ivanhoe

How are they doing?
Ashby have had a tough start to the season, of their first 5 games they have picked up 2 points and sit 17th of 20 in the United Counties Football League. They have failed to record a win since their win in the Preliminary first round of this cup, where they beat NPL WEST DIVISION side Chasetown 0-1 away from home. One thing is for certain, forgetting their current form in the league, this is a team that can show up for the big occasions.

Their Main Man?
Sam Grouse has found some form in the early part of the season, even with the Knights rocky form, he has managed to find the net on 5 occasions in his opening 6 appearances. Sam looks to be carrying on from where he left of last season, he fired home 41 goals in 47 appearances which saw him win the United Counties League, Premier Division North Golden Boot, a whopping 9 goals in front of his nearest competitor.

Their Gaffer?
Andy Gray – Gray lead the Knights to promotion and cup victory in the 22/23 season and had them promoted into the United Counties League, Premier Division. In their first season in the league Gray lead them to a respectable 11th place finish with striker Sam Grouse leading the division in goals. This is Ashby’s highest ever league finish.

6 of the best – Things you may not know about Ashby Ivanhoe

1. A ground record 836 fans were in the stands to witness The Knights 2023 playoff final win vs Droitwich Spa
2. The Knights best FA CUP prior to this season was the 23/24 season where they progressed to the First Round Qualifying
3. Ashby have forty teams playing in the 2023/24 season. We have two MJPL teams, six girls teams in the Leicestershire Women's and Girls Football League, nineteen boys teams in the Tamworth Junior League, eight boys teams in the Burton Junior Football League, four boys teams in the Derby City Football League and one boys team in the Leicestershire & District Mutual Football League this coming season
4. Ashby de la Zouch Castle was the purpose-built seat of one of the most powerful men in late 15th-century English politics, William, Lord Hastings. His adaptations to the relatively modest existing manor house at Ashby began in 1472–3, but by the time of his sudden fall from grace and execution in 1483 only about half of his grand design had been realised
5. Ashby Castle was the location for Walter Scott’s romantic novel – Ivanhoe
6. Ex Leicester, Derby and Stoke Goalkeeper Russel Hoult is one of the many notable names that were born In Ashby De Le Zouch – Along with early 2000’s Indie rock band Young Knives