First competed for in the 1952/53 season, The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup, to give it its full name, is something of a calm, constant presence in an ever-changing football landscape.
It may go under the radar on a national level but the FA Cup-style structure allows those youth teams affiliated to non-league or lower league clubs to enjoy moments of glory, play at some of the game's most famous grounds and also use any success they do have to attract more youngsters to play, and in many cases, study with them.
All three of those things combined, for instance, at Hemel Hempstead Town FC this week with an excellent victory over Exeter City in the second round of the competition sparking joyous scenes and earning a trip to Sheffield Wednesday and Hillsborough in the next round.
32 ties are due to take place by Saturday 16th December with home ties for the likes of Everton, Sheffield United, Wolves, Leicester City (against Chelsea) and Watford (against Manchester City) all hopefully being played at the host club's main stadium.
I'll update as many as I can on @affordablefooty over the next few weeks.
Up and running as a blog and on Twitter since July 2013. I hope to highlight affordable football at all levels of the game. If it has ever been of use then you can buy me a cuppa by clicking here
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PNE v Sky Blues at Deepdale on 6th Dec, 7pm. Free for ST holders of both clubs, £5/£1 otherwise.
Plymouth Argyle v Palace at Home Park on 7th Dec, 7pm. £5 adults (£3 for ST holders), £3 concessions and £1 for under 18's.
Grimsby Town v Forest at Blundell Park on 5th Dec, 7pm. Tickets £5/£3/£1.
Wolves v QPR at Molineux on 13th Dec, 7pm. Tickets £3 adults, £2 concessions
Watford v Man City at Vicarage Road on 19th Dec, 7pm. £5/£1 (free for ST holders)
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