Such was their stranglehold between 2009 and 2017 that only once did the Vase trophy leave the north-east, with Whitley Bay, Dunston, Spennymoor, North Shields, Morpeth and South Shields all triumphant at Wembley.
However, with three semi-finalists in the last two seasons coming from the Southern Counties East League, we are seeing a new force emerging at Step 5.
Corinthian’s first appearance in the last four this season follows Cray Valley PM’s run to the final last year – the Millers having beaten league rivals Canterbury over two legs to get there.
Known as the Kent League until 2013, the SCEFL may not be a traditional powerhouse but they’re now making the Non-League public sit up and take notice.
“To have three semi-finalists in two years is awesome,” said league chair Denise Richmond. “It shows how strong we are as a league.
“When I think of past years, the Northern League were always stronger because they have less Step 4 and Step 3 clubs in their area so players don’t want to travel, whereas the fact there are so many Steps 4, 3, 2 and 1 clubs in our area shows we are a level of football strong players want to play at and teams are good at attracting them.
“Teams in our league are better organised now and they take these competitions more seriously than they did in the past. Seeing Tunbridge Wells get to the final in 2013, it feels achievable.”
New brand
Martin Larkin’s side were certainly trailblazers in that regard. With a long-term aim of growing their fanbase and laying the foundations for a future promotion push, Wells targeted the Vase and reached the last 64 in 2011, going one better the following year.
This story is from the March 22, 2020 edition of The Non-League Football Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 22, 2020 edition of The Non-League Football Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
WIN SETS UP FINAL MATCH TO SAVOUR!
THE Millers finished their home campaign in fine style with a win against a deflated Herne Bay side, whose play-off hopes disappeared last weekend following their home defeat against Sheppey.
TAYLOR'S DOUBLE SILENCES MARTYRS
AFC TOTTON continued their push to the top of the play-off picture as they triumphed over Merthyr Town.
HORNETS HEROES STUN THE CHATS!
HORSHAM kept their promotion hopes alive with a convincing victory against their potential play-off opponents.
LONG WAIT FOR HYDE AFTER HOME VICTORY
HYDE UNITED ended their league campaign with a win thanks to a brace from Matt Fearnley.
FIVE-STAR STONES STUN SAD BEAVERS
HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH had their play-off hopes dashed after they were thrashed by Maidstone United.
IT'S ALL OVER FOR GARRARD AS FLEET SEND WOOD DOWN
LUKE GARRARD’S last stand as Boreham Wood manager ended in relegation as Ebbsfleet United secured their National League status – just – on a tense final day.
KEV HAS PRIDE DESPITE A FALL
SOUTHEND United's faint play-off hopes were ultimately taken out of their hands by FC Halifax Town but they failed to keep their side of the equation by going down to Rochdale at Roots Hall.
HORNETS GOT SUCH A BUZZ!
DOM DI PAOLA has claimed the Football Association's decision to do away with replays in the FA Cup from the first round proper onwards is 'destroying their own competition'.
IT'S ABOUT CREATING MEMORIES
STEVE McKimm says the FA Cup replay storm isn’t about money – it’s the chance to make memories just like Cray Valley PM did this season.
A MARATHON EFFORT, JOE!
Robins ace runs London gauntlet after injury hell