30 Oct 2025
News of manager Ian Culverhouse’s shock exit, added to concern about injuries to key players, is sure to dent the confidence of many Saints supporters as the club’s biggest game so far this season draws near, writes Jess Unwin.
The timing of the departure of Culverhouse and assistant Paul Bastock just four days before the FA Cup 1st round clash with League One outfit Burton Albion is unfortunate to say the least.
A squad of players persuaded in the close season to join St Albans City FC by the outgoing management duo must now be wondering what the future holds for them.
Defender Michael Bostwick has been named as interim player manager and will have to rally the troops – but it’s uncertain if he will be able to play in Saturday’s cup game after he suffered a hamstring injury in City’s 2-0 FA Trophy defeat against Hanwell Town.
Bostwick’s absence will be a blow for Saints as the 37-year-old has battled back from a close season ankle operation to produce match-winning performances for the team.
Earlier this week, before his decision to quit Clarence Park, Culverhouse told the club’s social media that Bostwick’s injury was “a massive choker for us”. He added: “If we lose Bozzy, that’s a big one for us.”
Another worry will be the fitness of Zane Banton. After sitting out the past couple of games, he did complete an hour against Hanwell last Saturday, but Culverhouse revealed the club captain is still carrying a niggling injury, while Alex Wall and James Sweet also have injury issues.
Bostwick counts Burton as one of his many former teams, having played for Albion in 2020 and 2021. Banton, of course, played and scored the last time St Albans reached this stage of the FA Cup – the 3-2 victory over Forest Green Rovers in 2021, which was shown live on BBC TV.
Burton have been struggling near the foot of League One this season but did secure a confidence-building 1-0 weekend victory away at promotion hopefuls AFC Wimbledon. Alex Hartridge’s headed goal lifted Albion to 20th spot in the table, just outside the relegation zone.
Winning clubs at this stage of the FA Cup competition will receive £45,000 prize money, with losing teams picking up £15,000. Eighth tier side Maldon & Tiptree, of the Isthmian League North Division, is the lowest-ranked team in the 1st round and will play away at League One side Port Vale.
City’s local rivals Hemel Hempstead have also made it through to the FA Cup 1st round and take on Wigan Athletic, while Hertfordshire sides Stevenage and Boreham Wood have home ties against Chesterfield and Crawley Town respectively.
The Saints’ tie against Albion is their fifth successive away draw in the competition this season. The first was against Aylesbury Vale on August 30 and was followed by games
against Hitchin Town, Woodford Town and Banbury.
Wilfred Minter, with a staggering return of 356 goals in 362 games, is the Saints all-time top goalscorer and can be found in record books as the player to have scored the most goals for the losing side in a FA Cup tie. The Amateur England international struck seven times as City went down 8-7 to Dulwich Hamlet in a 4th Qualifying Round replay on November 22 1922.
Ticket news
Tickets for Saturday’s game at Burton’s Pirelli Stadium are on sale through the St Albans City website until midday today (Thursday).
Once tickets are purchased online, St Albans City supporters must go to a pop-up ticket collection point in the boardroom at Clarence Park, which will be open between 2pm and 8pm today.
All entrances to the stadium will be open, and there will be signs to direct you towards the boardroom. Once inside, all you will need is your email confirming your order number,
which will then release your tickets.
If you do not live in the area, please purchase your ticket and email info@stalbanscityfc.com – and the club will make sure you have your paper tickets ready for the game.
