THE WHITE Tigers take a break from League matters this weekend as we begin our Emirates FA Cup campaign with a second round qualifying tie at Winchester City.

The Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South & West outfit saw popular central defender, Rob Flooks, depart the club this week after losing 2-0 to Hereford in their last game, a result that leaves them in the bottom three.

But manager, Ian Saunders, is ready for the challenge that lies ahead for his side.

“I’m as well prepared as I can be," he said. "I’ve had a scouting report done on Truro from a couple friends down in Plymouth and Tom Killick at Poole has been very helpful and given me a decent rundown on them.

“Truro are two levels above us and I’m sure they’ll look at our League position and come here expecting to turn us over.

“But cup games are a welcome break from the League and we can genuinely go into this one feeling relaxed and able to express ourselves.

“We’re not expected to win, but I’ve got some lads here capable of playing at the next level. If we can get a result, hopefully it'll help put us on the right track in the League.”

The club was formed in 1891 as Winchester Swallows FC. In 1894 they changed their name to Winchester FC (another Winchester FC had existed between 1884 and 1893). A further name change happened in 1907 when they became Winchester City FC.

The club joined the Hampshire League for the 1898–99 season and after many years in the Hampshire League they joined the Southern League in 1971–72, but they were unable to sustain this move, and returned to the Hampshire League after only two seasons.

The club underwent a reorganisation in 1999–2000 after a financially turbulent previous season. But they emerged from the tough period and were Division One Champions again in 2000–01, earning promotion to the Premier Division. In 2001–02, the club merged with Winchester Castle, but only managed to finish third in the League, however, they won the Hampshire League title, and promotion the next season, and completed a treble of trophies by also winning the Trophyman Cup and the Southampton Senior Cup.

The 2003–04 season turned out to be extremely successful for the club as they won the League in their first season at that level, and capped it with the Wessex League Cup title, as well as beating AFC Sudbury to win the FA Vase. However, promotion to the Southern League was denied as their ground did not meet the criteria set by the League.

The following season saw the club have more cup success by winning the Hampshire Senior Cup and after a further title win in 2005–06, they were admitted to the Southern League's new Division One South & West.

In the 2008–09 season the team finished 20th after a last day win at Windsor & Eton, but after the game were deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player and as a result finished bottom of the table, leaving them facing relegation to the Wessex League. The club appealed against the decision with The Football Association but lost their case and were relegated for the 2009–10 season.

The club secured promotion back into the Southern League at the end of the 2011/12 season but were relegated back into the Wessex League for the 2013/14 campaign.

In 2014, Winchester reached the third qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time in 59 years, but were beaten 3-2 by Concord Rangers. The following season they finished second in the Wessex League Premier Division and, after Flackwell Heath turned down the opportunity of promotion from Step 5 to Step 4 of the National League System, were offered the vacant space in the Southern League Division One South & West, which the club accepted.

Admission prices at the Denplan City Ground are: £8 (adults), £5 (seniors and concessions) and free for youngsters under the age of 16.