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02
May 2021
Concord Rangers: Who are they and how did they get to Wembley?
From playing friendly matches on the seafront to stepping out on to the pitch at Wembley, Concord Rangers are set for a milestone in their 54-year history.
Monday’s game against Harrogate Town will see the club hoping to overcome the odds and defeat the Football League side to lift the FA Trophy.
After no competitive fixtures since February due to the pandemic, Rangers will be hoping they can pull off an upset.
But who are Concord Rangers and how did they get to Wembley?
History
Formed in 1967, the club were initially set up as a bunch of boys playing friendly games on a pitch on the Canvey Island seafront.
Nicknamed the Beach Boys, the club picked up several honours throughout the 1970s including being the first to win the Essex Sunday Junior Trophy in 1979.
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Most of their games were played at Waterside Farm on Canvey Island until 1985, when they secured land to build their current ground at Thames Road.
After success in the Essex Senior League, the Beach Boys finished fifth in their first season in the Ryman League Division One North in 2008/9.
Manager Danny Cowley, who is now in charge at Portsmouth, took the club to a promotion in 2009 and then led them to their highest ever league position with another promotion to the Conference South.
The club has remained at that position ever since, but has also reached the quarter finals of the FA Vase and the first round of the FA Cup on two occasions.
How did they get to Wembley?
Concord Rangers’ day at the England team's home ground will be the biggest game in their history.
The final, which has been delayed since last year due to covid, will see the Beach Boys pitted against EFL opposition in Town.
Rangers' route to Wembley stretches back to November 2019.
The club overcame the likes of Bath City, Leamington and Royston Town to set up a semi-final against Halesowen Town.
Rangers scored in the 80th minute against Halesowen to reach the final.
That was back in September and both Concord and Town have had to wait eight months to walk out at Wembley.
To put a further dampener on the occasion, no fans will be allowed inside the stadium for the historic game.
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