Posted on 16th July 2026
Pre-season silverware up for grabs
Pre-season is mostly a time for players to get minutes in their legs, for managers to work on new tactics and set piece routines, and to bed in some new signings, but for some clubs it’s also a chance for silverware, as the FSA’s community-owned club network manager Richard Irving explains…
It’s time once again for our FSA-supported pre-season friendlies where community-owned clubs battle for two separate trophies: The Brian Lomax Cup and Supporters Direct Shield. For this year only, the game for the FSA Women’s Trophy has been held over until next year.
These are competed for each season, and provide an opportunity to celebrate community ownership by bringing together supporter-owned clubs from different parts of the country and this year both trophies are being contested on the same weekend.
Starting on Saturday 18th July at 3pm at the St Paul’s Sports Ground in south east London, Fisher FC take on Grays Athletic for the Brian Lomax Cup.
The match has been organised to celebrate ten years of community ownership at Fisher and both sides will be competing for the trophy won last year by AFC Rushden and Diamonds. The FSA will be in attendance and it would be great to see any London-based fans who can make it along to attend.
Then, on Sunday at 3.30pm, Blyth Spartans take on Dunstable at Croft Park for a long distance friendly for the Supporters Direct Shield and the Better Together Cup, a game which forms part of the FSA’s Better Together weekend.
The weekend has been arranged in partnership with Northumberland MIND and will bring together football clubs, mental health service providers and community groups.
