FA Cup first-round's most iconic moments as host of ex-Premier League stars prepare for new year with non-league clubs

THE FA Cup returns this weekend with a host of forgotten former Premier League stars looking to cause an upset.

There are 32 non-league sides in the first-round proper – 17 of which face EFL opposition.

Maldon & Tiptree are one such club as they travel to Port Vale and although top of the Isthmian League North Division, they are the lowest-ranked team in the competition.

Yet they boast some famous faces, including former Prem and Champions League ace Gary Hooper, who played for Norwich and Celtic.

His strike partner is Freddie Sears, who scored on his debut for West Ham aged just 18 in 2008.

Elsewhere, former Arsenal star Jay Emmanuel-Thomas could feature for AFC Totton against Macclesfield, having returned to football in the summer after being jailed for his role in a £600,000 cannabis plot.

TOP FLIGHT

Ex-Championship boss who took job as airport assistant finally returns to dugout

And former Wales and Fulham midfielder George Williams will try to help Hemel Hempstead take a huge scalp as they visit 2013 FA Cup winners Wigan Athletic.

There have been some notable first-round upsets down the years and hilarious incidents – here Sun Sport takes a look at the most iconic moments of the FA Cup first round.

Class of 92’s moment of glory

When Gary Neville and the Class of 92 bought Salford City in March 2014 they dreamed of taking the club up the divisions and into the EFL.

Even with the most lofty ambitions they likely would not have thought they would be giant-killers just a year later.

BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS

But that’s exactly what happened as they dumped League Two Notts County out in the first-round with a 2-0 win.

Neville and Paul Scholes beamed from ear to ear as they watched their seventh-tier team progress to the second-round for the first time in the club’s history courtesy of goals from Danny Webber and Richie Allen.

Goalkeeper loses his shirt in thriller

Another FA Cup tale from Greater Manchester saw a frantic end to a thrilling contest between the then-National League side Stockport County and Bolton Wanderers.

A draw in the first meeting set up a replay in front of TV cameras, which went to extra-time with the score level at 3-3 at the end of 90 minutes.

A hero was needed and Scott Quigley put Stockport ahead before Ollie Crankshaw added a fifth at the death to spark wild celebrations.

Supporters spilled onto the pitch, one of which stole the corner flag, and Crankshaw lost his shirt amid the chaos.

He played the final moments wearing a spare in what was a first-round classic.

An own goal to remember

There have been some memorable own goals in the FA Cup but few funnier than Wayne Hatswell turning into his own net.

The former Forest Green Rovers defender humiliated himself in a 3-0 defeat to Morecambe in November 2001.

Goalkeeper Steve Perrin had saved brilliantly to deny Andy Lyons.

The ball rebounded off Hatswell’s shins and was trickling towards goal but he still had plenty of time to get rid of the danger.

Unfortunately his attempted clearance ended up in the top corner rather than row Z.

Friar Tuck is sent off

Rewind a couple more decades where there was mascot trouble during a 1969 clash between Kettering Town and Swansea City.

Kettering mascot Cyril Wilson, who was dressed as Friar Tuck, was sent off for swearing at Swans goalkeeper Tony Millington.

Wilson would often ring his bell to rally the crowd, but on that occasion it did not pay off as Swansea won 2-0.

Reporter asks for ball from someone’s garden

Marine have had some memorable moments in recent years including welcoming Tottenham to their 2,300-seater ground in the third round in 2021.

To say Rossett Park is modest in size is putting it lightly with one touchline boasting only a fence instead of a stand.

And in a match against Harrogate Town a few months on from the Spurs clash, a BBC reporter was forced to ask a homeowner to throw the ball back over after it was kicked into his back garden.

The reporter said on air: “Before kick-off I told you about the numbers on the fences that acquaint to the houses and the gardens.

“So when a ball does go over a fence, they know where to get the ball from.

“Well, I can tell you that a ball has gone over to No30. So No30, if you live at No30 and you’re watching this, there’s a ball in your garden. Please throw it back.”

Northwich Victoria beat Charlton

In 2009, Charlton were licking their wounds following two relegations in three seasons.

But more agony was still to come as the then-League One side suffered a shock defeat to then National League North outfit Northwich Victoria.

An 18-year-old Wayne Riley scored the winner five minutes after coming on as a substitute to stun an Addicks side that included future Prem stars Jonjo Shelvey and Darren Randolph.

Princess Elsa on his stag

A bizarre moment came out of the first round last year when a brave fan sang ‘Let It Go’ in front of 2,765 fans at half-time of Wycombe’s 3-2 FA Cup win over York City.