The non-league sides aim for historic advancement in the prestigious tournament
Category: Local News
SHOLING have been handed a blockbuster home tie against social media giants SE Dons in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round. The Boatmen will welcome the ninth-tier south-east London side to the Mortgage Decisions Stadium on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Victory would send Sholing into the first round proper for the first time and surpass their previous best performance in the competition.
Paul Doswell's side earned their place in Monday's draw with a momentous 2-1 victory away at Ebbsfleet United in the third qualifying round. Sholing fell behind to Daniel Ogunleye's effort before Tommy-Lee Higgs and debutant Jonas Mukuna turned the tie around. They held on to equal their best-ever FA Cup run and have now been rewarded with one of the most eye-catching ties available.
SE Dons have developed a huge following since being founded by rapper Don Strapzy and friends, initially competing in Sunday league football. They merged with Forest Hill Park in 2024 to enter the non-league pyramid and now compete in the Southern Counties East League Premier Division. The Dons have become particularly well-known through their online content, with their YouTube channel currently boasting around 252,000 subscribers and almost 110 million views.
This season marks SE Dons' first-ever FA Cup campaign, but they have already produced a remarkable run to reach the final qualifying stage. They thrashed higher-ranked Weymouth 5-1 away on Saturday, having previously knocked out seventh-tier Chichester City with two stoppage-time goals. Their extraordinary profile has grown even more this year due to captain and goalkeeper George Desmond Kamurasi's links to royalty in Uganda. Kamurasi, known as 'Big G', was selected by a royal succession committee as its preferred candidate to succeed his cousin, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, as king of the Tooro Kingdom. He reportedly turned down the throne, with the succession becoming the subject of a dispute involving the late king's family.
The FA Cup fourth qualifying round is a highly anticipated stage in the competition, as it serves as the final hurdle before clubs from League One and League Two enter the fray. A total of 64 teams from the National League system remain in contention, having battled through as many as five prior rounds to reach this point. The bulk of the fourth round qualifying matches are scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2026, with successful teams set to play first round matches just three weeks later on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
Established names such as Carlisle United, Yeovil Town, Southend United, and Hartlepool Town remain in the hunt to advance through to the FA Cup proper, alongside lesser-known teams like SE Dons, Brentwood Town, and Stafford Rangers, which could still earn historic ties. Last season, National League South outfit Weston-super-Mare reached the third round of the competition before their progress was halted by League Two side Grimsby.
Sholing's upcoming match against SE Dons is one of 32 fixtures confirmed for this stage of the tournament. The winners of the match will receive £9,375 in prize money and advance to the first round proper, marking a substantial incentive for both clubs. The losers will still receive £3,125, providing a financial cushion as they continue their campaigns.
As the clock ticks down to the match on October 17, both teams are gearing up for what will likely be an exciting encounter. For Sholing, a victory would solidify their place in FA Cup history and provide a much-needed boost in morale and recognition within the football community. Meanwhile, SE Dons are eager to continue their fairytale run, having captured the imagination of fans across the country.
The Dons' rise from Sunday league football to this stage of the FA Cup has been remarkable, and they will look to leverage their social media presence to rally support ahead of the match. With a substantial following on YouTube and growing interest in their story, the Dons are not just competing for a place in the next round; they are also aiming to inspire and engage their fanbase.
As the date approaches, anticipation is building among supporters of both clubs. The outcome of this match could pave the way for either team to achieve a historic first-round tie against professional clubs, a dream that many non-league sides aspire to. With the stakes high and both teams in good form, October 17 is set to be a memorable day in the FA Cup calendar.