Basford United’s scholars look to create more history when they welcome Derby County to Greenwich Avenue in the first-round proper of the FA Youth Cup on Monday night.
United, one of the lowest ranked remaining teams in the competition, have already played four times to reach this stage and host a Rams academy who hold category one status, alongside the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.
It represents another huge milestone for the non-league side who have played – and knocked out – a host of big names in the past, having only formed their education set-up back in 2014.
Wins over Port Vale and Grimsby Town preceded a defeat to then-Premier League West Bromwich Albion back in 2021, before a crushing 92 nd minute defeat to Doncaster Rovers a year later.
This season, United have beaten Deeping Rangers and Long Eaton United, before Lui Bull’s penalty saw off Notts County in September. Bull was on the scoresheet again in the last round, sealing a 2-0 win over Lincoln United three weeks ago to set up the tie against much-fancied Derby, the highest-ranked team at this stage of the draw.
Lead Development Phase Coach Andrew Danylyszyn, who took over from Josh Law following his move to Harrogate Town earlier this year, said: “It’s another fantastic draw for the club and the players and it’s one we’re all looking forward to.
“Since I’ve been here – which has only been a few months now – we’ve spoken about the philosophy we want to adopt and the pathways we want to create for these players and games like these are the perfect opportunities.
“We’ve planned and trained efficiently for this game since the draw was released and – like the Notts County game last month – we’ll do our best to win and really take the game to Derby, just how I know we can.
“A lot of the game against Notts was won off-the-ball and we’re expecting a similar game this time, but we know what do, we have several ways of adapting – it’ll be a great game, for sure.”
Head of Academy Education Steve Chettle added: “It’s what the competition is all about – every time the lads come in each year; they’re asking about the FA Youth Cup.
“Draws like this are everything we’re aiming for, not just as an academy, but as a club. We know the first team are aspiring to get to a higher level and in the National League set-up and we want to be as a good of an academy as we can be.
“These games are big challenges, but we look forward to that and it’s what all the kids play for.”
The tie kicks off at 7.45pm and prices are as follows: Adults: £6, Concessions: £3, Students/U16s: £2
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