There’s nothing quite like a good FA Cup upset. While the Premier League clubs may lift the trophy most years, it’s the early rounds — before the giants enter — where the competition truly comes alive.
This is where the so-called “magic of the cup” lives: small clubs, semi-professionals, and even part-timers taking on the odds, and sometimes rewriting the script altogether.
These underdog stories are what make the FA Cup special, not just for the fans of the clubs involved, but for anyone who loves football.
In the long history of the tournament, a few lower-league sides have done more than just cause an upset — they’ve gone on unforgettable runs that still stand out decades later. Here are four of the greatest.
Chasetown FC: 2007–08
Chasetown FC’s run in the 2007–08 FA Cup is the stuff of non-league folklore. At the time, the Staffordshire club were playing in the Southern League Division One Midlands — the eighth tier of English football — and had never before reached the First Round Proper. Their journey that season would make them the lowest-ranked team in FA Cup history to reach the Third Round.
Starting out in the preliminary stages in September, Chasetown had already played several matches before the bigger names came into view. After battling through the qualifying rounds, they edged out Team Bath and Nuneaton Borough, setting up a First Round clash with League One side Port Vale. Against all expectations, Chasetown earned a replay — and then stunned their higher-ranked opponents with a dramatic 1–0 win in front of the BBC cameras. It was a night of raw emotion, with the club’s tiny ground packed to the rafters and the goal sparking jubilant scenes that linger in FA Cup highlight reels to this day.
Their reward was a Second Round tie with Stafford Rangers, which they also won, booking a place in the Third Round against Cardiff City. Although Chasetown ultimately lost that game 3–1, they gave a creditable performance and even took the lead before Cardiff’s superior quality told. It was a romantic run built on heart, grit, and community spirit — and a reminder that FA Cup dreams can still come true for the smallest clubs in the land.
Blyth Spartans: 1977–78
Long before non-league cup runs became part of modern folklore, Blyth Spartans set the standard. In the 1977–78 season, the Northumberland side — then playing in the Northern Premier League, effectively the seventh tier — reached the Fifth Round Proper of the FA Cup. It was a historic feat for a part-time side, and one that’s still talked about nearly 50 years later.
Their run began in the qualifying rounds and built momentum with each passing round. They saw off Chesterfield and Enfield before a thrilling Fourth Round victory against Stoke City, who were playing in the Second Division (now the Championship) at the time. That result truly announced Blyth Spartans to the wider footballing world, as they dumped out a professional side on a memorable day at their Croft Park ground.
The Fifth Round brought a tie against Wrexham, another strong side in the second tier. Blyth came agonisingly close to reaching the quarter-finals. They were leading 1–0 at St James’ Park (borrowed due to capacity issues at their home ground), only for Wrexham to score a late equaliser. The replay was held at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground, where the fairytale finally ended with a 2–1 defeat.
What made Blyth’s run so remarkable wasn’t just how far they went — it was the fearless way they played. They weren’t trying to hold on for penalties or sneak wins through luck. They attacked games and earned their place in the latter stages. For years, they remained the benchmark for non-league sides in the FA Cup, and their name still resonates with fans who love a proper underdog tale.
Maidstone United: 2023–24
Maidstone United captured the imagination of the football world during the 2023–24 FA Cup, becoming the first team from the sixth tier to reach the Fifth Round Proper in the 21st century. A semi-professional outfit playing in the National League South, Maidstone pulled off a series of stunning results against full-time opponents to write their names into FA Cup history.
Their run began modestly enough in the qualifying rounds, but things quickly picked up pace. A win over Torquay United in the early stages was impressive, but it was their giant-killing exploits in the proper rounds that made headlines. First came a 2–1 away victory over Barrow in League Two. Then came a staggering Fourth Round upset — a 2–1 win over Ipswich Town, who were flying high in the Championship and eyeing a return to the Premier League. Maidstone’s composure, organisation and counter-attacking threat caught the eye, and their players — many of whom balanced football with other jobs — earned widespread praise for their commitment and quality.
Their reward was a Fifth Round tie away at Coventry City, another Championship side with a strong recent cup pedigree. Although Maidstone were outclassed on the night, losing 5–0, their journey remained a triumph of belief and togetherness. Manager George Elokobi, a popular figure during the run, embodied the spirit of the club — proud, driven and never overawed.
What made Maidstone’s story special was how contemporary it felt. In an age of big-money football and media saturation, here was a club from the semi-professional ranks playing with heart and belief, defying expectations and reminding everyone what the FA Cup can still mean. Their run wasn’t just a one-off — it was a celebration of the values that make lower-league football so beloved.
Lincoln City: 2016–17
Lincoln City’s 2016–17 FA Cup campaign was more than just a giant-killing act — it was a seismic achievement that rewrote the record books. As a National League side, they became the first non-league team to reach the quarter-finals in over a century, with their incredible run igniting national interest and capturing the imagination of fans everywhere.
Under the management of the Cowley brothers, Lincoln’s tactical organisation and belief were central to their success. They began their run in the Fourth Qualifying Round and dispatched Guiseley and Altrincham before shocking League One side Oldham Athletic in the First Round Proper. From there, things only got more dramatic. They edged past Ipswich Town after a replay and stunned Championship promotion hopefuls Brighton & Hove Albion with a 3–1 win at Sincil Bank.
But the biggest shock was still to come. In the Fifth Round, Lincoln travelled to Premier League side Burnley. What followed was a textbook FA Cup upset. Lincoln defended brilliantly and snatched a late winner through Sean Raggett, sparking wild celebrations. They had beaten a top-flight side, away from home, and booked their place in the quarter-finals — the first non-league club to do so since 1914.
Their run finally ended at the Emirates Stadium, where they lost 5–0 to Arsenal. But by then, Lincoln had made history. Their cup journey galvanised the club, energised the fanbase, and played a role in their eventual return to the Football League that season.
What made Lincoln’s run so compelling was the sense of destiny that surrounded it. They didn’t just sneak through games — they earned every win with tactical nous, character and resilience. They took on clubs from higher divisions and imposed their game. In doing so, they proved that the FA Cup still has room for proper, lasting fairytales — and their name will always be part of that story.