Garry Clarke takes a look at the team standing in Warrington Rylands' way on their road to Wembley in the FA Vase...

THE question people are asking is "who are Shildon AFC?"

Originally formed in 1890, the club known as the Railwaymen hail from the town of Shildon which is situated two miles south east of Bishop Auckland, 11 miles north of Darlington in County Durham.

They joined the Northern League in 1933 and have been champions six times, their last title coming five years ago in 2016.

Since then, they have been one of the league’s more consistent sides and if the planned league restructure takes place this summer, Shildon are in line for promotion – boasting the third best playing record in the Northern League over the past two shortened seasons.

Sitting second in the table when the 2019/20 season was abandoned, Shildon were eighth when the current campaign was halted and curtailed having taken 21 points from 11 games. Their last league fixture was a 1-1 draw at Ryhope CW on October 27.

Quarter finalists in 2010 and semi finalists in 2013, this season is the second time Shildon have reached the fourth round in the past five seasons.

Their last appearance at this stage resulted in a 4-1 home defeat against Atherton Collieries, then of the North West Counties Football League

Shildon have played NWCFL opponents 16 times in the FA Vase and have a 50 per cent success rate having won eight and lost eight.

The last of those meetings with NWCFL clubs came in the first round of this season’s competition when they beat Bootle 2-0 on Merseyside.

Shildon beat Warrington Rylands North West Counties League rivals Bootle 2-0 earlier in this seasons FA Vase. Picture by Martyn Tweddle

Shildon beat Warrington Rylands' North West Counties League rivals Bootle 2-0 earlier in this season's FA Vase. Picture by Martyn Tweddle

In this season’s competition Shildon have also knocked out Chester le Street, Sunderland RCA, Hallam and in the last round, Stockton Town.

Managed by former Mansfield Town defender Daniel Moore since January 2017, Shildon will host Warrington Rylands at their 4,700 capacity Dean Street ground situated close to the town centre.

With the game being played behind closed doors due to Government Covid restrictions, Shildon will be streaming the game live on YouTube (only available in the UK).

To help with covering the costs, they will be charging £4 to watch the stream and you will also receive a virtual programme for the game.

Full details of Shildon website www.shildonafc.com

To avoid clashing with the funeral of HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, kick off has been brought forward to 12.30pm