The SE Dons are one win away from FA Cup first-round history, a remarkable rise for a club that was playing Sunday League football just three seasons ago. Their comeback against Chichester saw Alex Teniola score in the 95th minute to complete a 3-2 win after the Dons trailed 2-1, a moment that quickly went viral with Don Strapzy's commentary.
There was more to come. A 5-1 victory away to former National League club Weymouth left the Dons one win from the FA Cup first round proper. They have already beaten four teams from higher leagues and are one of only three clubs left in the competition to have started in the extra preliminary round. They now prepare to face Sholing in the fourth qualifying round, with Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday or Reading among the clubs waiting in the next round.
The club was founded in 2014 by south-east London rapper Don Strapzy, real name Andrew Mc Hugh, and his friends. It has grown from a Sunday League team into a football club, a content platform and a community with more than 250,000 YouTube subscribers. In 2024, a link-up with Forest Hill Park opened the door to Saturday football, and promotion followed. Their FA Cup debut came in August, with a 2-0 victory against Erith Town at The Garrison.
For Don Strapzy, the journey carries deep personal meaning. He describes the Dons as "just normal people that dare to be great." His father, known as Mr Old Skool, and his mother, Paula, have both since passed, and their names remain woven into the club. As the Dons chase a place in the first round proper, the dream is becoming difficult to contain.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing