STOURBRIDGE is basking in football fever as the town’s club are only 90 minutes away from creating their own FA Cup history.

The talk of the town is currently all about Stourbridge FC’s impressive first round 2-1 victory in Dover on Saturday, as well as looking forward to the second round tie at home to Eastleigh in early December.

Spirits have been high on Stourbridge’s streets as a second round win in Amblecote will net the team a place in the ‘holy grail’ of the third round alongside the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal – something the non-league club has never done before.

The Evo-Stick Northern Premier League Premier Division side, nicknamed the Glassboys, have the support of the Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Steve Waltho, who said he was “delighted” to see the team make it through to the second round of the historic cup competition.

“I was glued to the TV watching the draw on Monday night,” he said. “I was also in the crowd all those years ago for the second round match against Walsall and the atmosphere around the town then was electric.

“Like the rest of the country Dudley borough is football mad, so to see one of our clubs doing so well has given a huge lift to the spirits of the whole borough.

“Stourbridge FC do a lot of work within the community and also have the right people in place for success, they have a very good manager in Gary Hackett and a good chairman.

“This cup run has financially given themselves – as well as the town – a boost, which will only help the great work they do.”

Stourbridge MP Margot James said: “It’s very exciting and I am absolutely thrilled for the whole team, including Gary and his staff, as well as all of the supporters.

“It was a huge achievement to even reach the first round proper, so to go away to Dover and beat a very good team who are in fine form in their division and make it through to the second round is brilliant.

“I’m devastated that I won’t be able to go to the Eastleigh match, but they will have the whole town behind them and I wish the team the best of luck.”

Stourbridge News:

Stourbridge FC keeper Lewis Solly celebrates the victory with Tom Tonks. Photo by Will Kilpatrick.

Wolverhampton Wanderers fan and leader of Dudley Council, Councillor Pete Lowe, said he has a soft spot for his local side and spends a number of evenings at the War Memorial Ground supporting Stourbridge.

Cllr Lowe said: “Stourbridge’s FA Cup success is having a really positive impact on the whole community. I was out in the town last night and all the conversation was about the second round and what Stourbridge have achieved yet again.

“I’m going to be one of the first in the queue for tickets and I cannot wait for what I’m sure will be a great match and a chance to get one of the big boys in the third round.

“I would love them to get drawn against Wolves, but I would definitely have split loyalties if that did happen.

“However Stourbridge have got to get through a tough game against Eastleigh first, but it’s a winnable game and the team are playing so well at the moment, so fingers crossed.”

The further Stourbridge progress in the FA Cup the better, for local businessman Dave King, who owns sports shop Soccer Kings in Brettell Lane, Amblecote.

Dave, whose shop has provided the club’s kits for the past nine years, said: “It’s great to see the first team having success in the FA Cup. We have a very good relationship with the club and long may their success continue.”