# Non-league’s greatest giant-killers eye another scalp

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/non-leagues-greatest-giant-killers-eye-another-scalp/
- Published: 2026-11-07T06:45:56+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-07T07:22:00+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Sport (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cqev332mv1lyo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Football, Sport

## Key points

- Altrincham face League One Notts County in the FA Cup.
- The club have beaten 17 Football League opponents in the competition.
- Their 1986 win over Birmingham City remains a landmark upset.

## Summary

Altrincham are aiming to add another FA Cup upset to a history that has helped define the club, as they prepare to face League One Notts County. Former midfielder Graham Heathcote says the team’s past achievements should give today’s players confidence, while manager Neil Gibson sees the tie as a chance to create memories of their own.

Altrincham have beaten 17 Football League sides in the FA Cup, more than any other club that has always played outside the league. Their part-time team reached the third round in four successive seasons from 1978 to 1982, and in 1986 they beat top-flight Birmingham City away. The club also twice won the Alliance Premier League but missed out on election to the Football League by one vote in 1980; they are now seventh in the National League, with promotion to the EFL their main ambition.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.