The 1965/66 campaign was the 85th season of the world's oldest football knockout competition. It was also the first time that Herne Bay entered and the draw for the First Qualifying Round saw a mouth-watering tie…away at the old enemy Whitstable Town. A brace from Allan Young and one from Colin Warnett on 04/09/1965 meant Bay confirmed their superiority over their Greater London League opponents. The draw for the Second Qualifying Round gave another local derby, at the Kingsmead Stadium, against Southern League Canterbury City. City won 1-0 with an 8th minute own goal from Brian Waters deciding the tie. Canterbury went on to lose to Folkestone 0-1 in the Third Qualifying Round.

Fifty-four years later Herne Bay will host AFC Croydon Athletic.

Canterbury were also the victors in 1966/67 this time by four goals to nil and a season later Bay were also to go out at the first attempt, to Bexhill Town and then in 1968/69, after a 1-1 draw at Sheppey United, the Islanders won the replay 5-3. It took two replays in 1969/70 for Folkestone to overcome Bay.

After no progress for four seasons Herne Bay entered 1970/71 full of optimism and went on to be Athenian League Division Two Champions. They also disposed of Ashford Town, Ramsgate Athletic and Tonbridge in the FA Cup and were the last amateur side from Kent left in the competition. Their opponents in the Fourth Qualifying Round, one round away from the First Round Proper, were Margate. Bay went out with their heads held high and were watched by 2,303 spectators in the 1-0 defeat with Gate defending their early lead. Margate were to lose 0-2 at Dagenham at the next stage.

Between 1971/72 and 1985/86 Herne Bay went beyond the first stage on only five occasions out of 15 and then fell at the second attempt. In 1986/87 Bay were in the middle of a period of mediocrity, but in their 100th year they equalled their best ever feat, beating Worthing, Arundel and Whitstable Town before bowing out 0-4 at Farnborough Town in the Fourth Qualifying Round. Farnborough were to lose 0-4 at Swindon Town in the First Round Proper.

Little of significance followed until 1996/97… the treble season, when as well as winning the Kent League, the Kent League Cup and the Kent Senior Trophy, Herne Bay beat Wick, Walton & Hersham and Horsham before losing 0-2 at Welling in the Third Qualifying Round.

1999/00 saw the Farnham Town fiasco, which deserves a ‘Throwback Thursday’ of its own later. Suffice to say that after a draw, an abandonment, a void game and eventually a victory Bay went through to the Third Qualifying Round and a disappointing defeat to Horsham YMCA.

Under Nick Denly in 2002/03 there was also a Third Qualifying Round appearance after beating Sandhurst Town, Cowes Sports and Burnham, Bay went out to Heybridge Swifts.

When Simon Halsey took Herne Bay to the Kent League title in 2011/12 and also to the FA Vase semi-final, Bay beat Pagham and Deal Town in the FA Cup but lost disappointingly to Erith Town in the First Qualifying Round.

Up to the Isthmian League and a first-time out defeat to Folkestone Invicta who included Jack Delo, Stuart King and Darren Marsden. The laurels for the best Bay Isthmian League FA Cup progress go to John Embery and Jermaine Darlington for reaching the Third Round in 2017/18, beating Chessington & Hook United, Walton Casuals and Horsham before dipping out 0-2 at Margate.

The prize fund has increased over recent years and a first-ever appearance in the First Round Proper would net Herne Bay a massive £41,250. Here’s hoping and praying.