Some of the best non-league FA Cup stories ever

The FA Cup is back this weekend with second-round action, and with non-league sides looking to take another step towards glory, there’s always the chance for a giant-killing. Could this be the round where another fairytale story begins?

As the minnows dream of history, we take a look at three of the greatest non-league FA Cup runs of all time, where the underdogs captured the magic of the cup and defied the odds.

Marine (Third Round, 2020/21)

Marine’s 2020/21 FA Cup campaign is the stuff of footballing folklore. The Northern Premier League side, then competing in the eighth tier of English football, defied the odds to reach the third round.

Starting their journey in the preliminary stages, Marine had to win five matches just to reach the first round proper. They made headlines with a dramatic penalty shootout win over League Two’s Colchester United, clinching a 5-3 victory.

From there, they edged past sixth-tier Havant & Waterlooville to set up the biggest match in the club's history—a showdown with Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur.

The gap between the sides was historic: 161 league places separated the two teams, the largest gap ever recorded in FA Cup history. Marine’s cup dreams may have ended with a 5-0 defeat, but their incredible eight-game run earned them a place in footballing legend.

Lincoln City (Quarter-Finals, 2016/17)

Lincoln City’s 2016/17 campaign wasn’t just magical—it was groundbreaking. Then a National League side, the Imps became the first non-league team in 103 years to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals, a feat unmatched in the modern era.

Danny Cowley’s men turned heads with a string of giant-killings, starting with League One's Oldham Athletic and progressing to upsets over Ipswich Town and Brighton & Hove Albion.

However, the standout moment came in the fifth round, when they toppled Premier League side Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor, thanks to a dramatic late goal.

Their fairytale run ended at Arsenal in the quarter-finals, where they fell 5-0 to the eventual winners. But their achievements sparked national admiration and set the benchmark for non-league excellence in the competition.

Maidstone United (Fifth Round, 2023/24)

The newest addition to FA Cup folklore is Maidstone United’s remarkable 2023/24 journey. The sixth-tier side from the National League South captivated fans with an eight-round adventure that saw them claim multiple EFL scalps.

Starting back in September 2023, Maidstone navigated past Steyning Town, Winchester City, and league rivals Torquay United to reach the first round proper.

Victories over Chesham United, Barrow, and League One Stevenage solidified their status as giant-killers.

Their crowning moment came in January 2024 when Sam Corne’s decisive goal secured a famous win at Portman Road against Championship side Ipswich Town.

While their run came to an end in the fifth round with a 5-0 loss to Coventry City, Maidstone’s story added another chapter to the FA Cup’s rich tradition of underdog triumphs.

Final Whistle

With second-round fixtures on the horizon, could this be the weekend another non-league side etches their name into FA Cup history?

The magic of the cup has always made the impossible possible. Marine, Lincoln City, and Maidstone United have shown what’s achievable when dreams and determination collide.

Who will be the next giant-killer to emerge from the shadows?