Robins meet Combined Counties Krooners for the first ever time
Hassocks hit the road in the first round of the Isuzu FA Vase with an eagerly anticipated trip to Combined Counties Premier Division South side Camberley Town.
The first ever meeting between Robins and Krooners also represents the Robins’ longest away game in a national competition for many years.
Unsurprisingly, it has generated a lot of excitement with the club putting on a coach for players and supporters for the first time since 2011.
It is a decade since Hassocks last progressed to the second round of the FA Vase. They have reached that stage on just four previous occasions and never gone beyond it.
Having just set a new club-record of eight successive league wins in senior football, could the Robins take a step towards writing more history in this competition?
Who are Camberley Town?
Camberley are one of the oldest non-league football clubs in Surrey, having been formed all the way back in 1895.
The club was founded during a meeting at a local church, and so were originally known as St Michael’s Football Club.
During the 1980s, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Rick Wakeman became chairman whilst living in Camberley.
The Krooners played Isthmian League football between 1984 and 2006 and reached the first round of the FA Cup during the 1998-99 season, losing 5-0 away at Brentford.
In the 21st century, Camberley have twice finished as Combined Counties League runners up in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 campaigns.
Camberley Town this season
The Krooners currently sit 16th in Combined Counties Premier Division South, three points behind Horley Town who Hassocks beat away from home in the previous round of the FA Vase.
The Krooners made it to this stage of the combination by defeating the Robins’ fellow Southern Combination Premier Division outfit Horsham YMCA 3-1 at Krooner Park.
How to get to Krooner Park
For those not on Super Pat’s Magical Mystery Tour Bus, take the A23/M23/M25 clockwise and join the M3 headed towards Southampton.
Exit at Junction 4 and follow the signs for Camberley Town Centre. When you reach the Waitrose on your right in Frimley, take the first left off the roundabout onto Frimley Road.
Continue until you reach the Esso garage on your left, turn left at that roundabout onto Wilton Road and Krooner Park is at the end.
For those travelling by train, alight at Camberley and walk for 30 minutes down Park Street and Park Road before finding Wilton Road.
