RACA face Billingham Town in the FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round at The Oldhaulage Stadium on Saturday with a prize of a place in the draw for the 1st Round Proper plus £725 from the prize pot for the winners. The sides have met once before in the premium competition for England’s Step 5 & 6 clubs, that back in the 2014/15 season when we drew 1-1 at Kingsley Park but lost the replay on Teesside 0-1. This is Ryton’s 37th FA Vase tie, the furthest we’ve reached in the competition being the 2nd Round which we’ve done twice, firstly in 2008/09 finally losing in a replay at Nostell Miners Welfare, having accounted for Winterton Rangers, Hall Road Rangers and Guisborough Town (by 10 goals to 1!) on the way. More recently in the 2024/25 campaign, slap bang in the middle of a run of ties against North West Counties Football League opponents we put out Garstang and Barnoldswick Town before losing at home to West Didsbury & Chorlton. With Newcastle United not playing until Monday, hopefully we can get a decent gate & with Billingham having secured a sponsor for their coach up to Crawcrook, we might have a healthy away support to add to the occasion. Kick off is at the usual 3pm slot. HOWAY THE RACA!

One player who won’t be joining us on our road to Wembley is Ryan Bailey who leaves us to join Division One strugglers Newcastle Benfield. Defender Ryan made 14 appearances for RACA but made just the one start this season in our opening game against Tow Law, but goes to Sam Smith’s Park with our very best wishes.