The Oystermen begin their FA Trophy campaign on Friday evening as we travel to West Sussex to face AFC Portchester in the First Qualifying Round.

The tie will take place at Oaklands Park, home of Chichester City FC, rather than Portchester's usual home ground, with the fixture brought forward to Friday night.

The arrangement allows our Bank Holiday Monday league fixture against Margate at the YMS Stadium to go ahead as planned, and we would like to thank AFC Portchester for their assistance in securing an alternative venue and accommodating the change of date.

A place in the Second Qualifying Round awaits the winners as Whitstable return to the FA Trophy following promotion back to Step 4.

Friday marks Whitstable Town's return to a competition we last contested before our four-year spell away from Step 4.

The Oystermen received a bye through the Preliminary Round and enter the competition at the First Qualifying Round stage.

Our best-ever run in the FA Trophy came during the 2013/14 season.

That memorable campaign saw Whitstable overcome Sittingbourne, Potters Bar Town, Hythe Town, Carshalton Athletic and Hendon to reach the Second Round Proper – the last 32 of the competition.

The run eventually came to an end at the Belmont, where National League side Ebbsfleet United edged a close encounter 2-1.

Thirteen seasons later, another FA Trophy campaign gets underway.

There are no replays, meaning Friday's tie will be decided by penalties if the scores are level after 90 minutes.

Known as The Royals, AFC Portchester compete at Step 4 in the Isthmian League South Central Division.

The club can trace its beginnings to 1971, when Lloyds Sports were formed and entered the City of Portsmouth Sunday League Division Six.

Several name changes followed before AFC Portchester was adopted in 2000, with the club progressing through the Hampshire and Wessex League systems in the years that followed.

Their breakthrough into Step 4 finally arrived following an extraordinary 2024/25 campaign.

Portchester won the Wessex League Premier Division title as part of a remarkable quadruple, also lifting the Wessex League Cup, Russell Cotes Cup and Portsmouth Senior Cup while losing just once in the league.

Their first season at Step 4 proved equally impressive.

The Royals finished fifth in the Isthmian League South Central Division to secure a play-off place, with their promotion challenge eventually ending in a dramatic semi-final defeat to Westfield on penalties.

They will therefore provide another strong test for Lee Martin's side on Friday night.

While Oaklands Park itself will be familiar to the Oystermen from previous visits to face Chichester City in various competitions, Friday brings something completely new.

It will be the first competitive meeting between Whitstable Town and AFC Portchester.

There is an interesting parallel between the two clubs, with both having recently earned promotion into Step 4 football.

Portchester made the step up in 2025 following their title-winning campaign, while Whitstable returned to the Isthmian League a year later.

The clubs compete in different Isthmian divisions – Portchester in the South Central and the Oystermen in the South East – meaning cup competition provides the opportunity for this first encounter.

AFC Portchester's history in the FA Trophy is a relatively short one.

The Royals made their debut in the competition last season following promotion to Step 4, and their first appearance proved to be a successful one.

A Connor Duffin penalty secured a 1-0 victory over Flackwell Heath in their first-ever FA Trophy fixture, with Portchester going on to reach the First Round Proper before their run was ended by Wimborne Town.

They now begin their second campaign in the competition against an Oystermen side returning to the Trophy for the first time in four years.

Friday's tie will take place at Oaklands Park, home of Chichester City FC.

While it is an alternative venue for AFC Portchester, it is not unfamiliar territory for Whitstable, who have previously visited Oaklands Park to face Chichester City.

For supporters, the important point to remember is that Friday's fixture is being played in Chichester and NOT at AFC Portchester's usual home ground.

Kick-off is at 7:45pm.

Supporters travelling to the game should use PO19 6AR when planning their journey.

For those travelling by car, Oaklands Park is accessed via Oaklands Way, with the road leading around between the tennis courts towards the ground's car park and turnstiles.

Please allow plenty of time for the journey, particularly with the fixture taking place on a Friday evening at the beginning of the Bank Holiday weekend.

Ticket prices for this game are as follows: Adults £10, concessions £7, under-16s get free entry when accompanied by an adult.
Tickets are available to purchase in advance here:
https://ticketscandy.com/e/afc-portchester-vs-whitstable-town-the-isuzu-fa-trophy-fri-28-aug-kick-off-1945-19830

First-team manager Lee Martin is looking forward to beginning another national cup campaign as the Oystermen return to the FA Trophy.

"It's another competition we're really looking forward to being involved in. Getting promoted back to Step 4 means we're back in the FA Trophy and we want to embrace that opportunity.

"Portchester will be a very difficult test. They had an excellent first season at this level and reached the play-offs, so we know we're going up against a strong side.

"It's a new opponent for us and although the venue is familiar, playing Portchester there makes the occasion a little bit different. Ultimately, though, our preparation and approach have to remain the same.

"We've had a busy start to the season and the games continue to come quickly, but the group are enjoying their football and continuing to develop together.

"It's a long journey on a Friday evening, especially on a Bank Holiday weekend, so any supporters who make the trip will be hugely appreciated. Hopefully we can give them a performance to enjoy."

Friday brings a first-ever meeting with AFC Portchester and the beginning of another national cup campaign for the Oystermen.

The Royals showed what they are capable of during an impressive first season at Step 4 and will provide a stern test with a place in the Second Qualifying Round at stake.

For those making the Friday evening journey to Chichester, your support will be greatly appreciated.