OPPOSITION FOCUS | Horsham F. C (H) - FA Trophy Edition
- Jemma Sear
- Dec 12, 2025
- 5 min read
Written by Chris McCarthy
General Info:
Manager – Dominic Di Paola
Nickname – The Hornets
Ground – Fusion Aviation Stadium
Capacity – 3000
Meet The Opposition:
Horsham FC was founded in 1881 although there were games being played as far back as 1871. They were a founding member of the Sussex County FA and West Sussex Senior League which they would quickly go on to win three years running.
Fast forward to 2011/12 and the club would suffer a tricky season going through three different managers resulting in relegation to Division One South. The difficulties would continue, with the club in the process of finding a new home, with a further relegation in 2014/15 taking them down to the Sussex County League.
This is where Dominic Di Paola would step in and go on a rebuilding process with an immediate promotion in 2015/16 which included a club record 97 points. They would move into their new home the Fusion Aviation Stadium in 2019 and had a season to remember in 2024/25 with further promotion into the National League South and an FA Cup first round appearance. That adding to their historic second round appearance against Barnsley the previous season on ITV.
The club is now looking for more history with promotion into the National League and looking to get the furthest into has ever done in the FA Trophy with its previous best run being round four.
First Team Manager: Dominic Di Paola
Dominic Di Paola celebrated 10 years with Horsham back in April and has been one that has seen him take the club to success in cups and promotion. On joining the club in the 2015/16 season Horsham had seen relegation to the County League for the first time since 1956. Since then Dom has taken them through two promotions into the National League South giving the club a chance to fight for a place in the National League for the first time. He has lifted both the Isthmian League Cup and Sussex Senior Cup and went on a record equalling run in 2024 getting to the second round of the FA Cup.
Back in 2024 Dom also took The Hornets to their best every run of a fourth round in the FA Trophy. He will certainly have his eyes on equalling that this weekend having come close with a 1-1 result at the Focus Community Arena with his side just a couple weeks ago.
Captain: Jack Brivio
Jack is one of the longest serving players at Horsham having joined the club from Burgess Hill Town back in 2018. During that time he has led the club through success in Play Offs, League Cup, Senior Cup and FA Cup ties and was The Hornets Player of the Year in 2019/20.
Jack has been playing in both midfield and defensive roles this season, something he stepped into in recent seasons and has continued showing his versatility as a player and dedication to the squad in getting the results.
He has been on the scoresheet this season in the League picking up a goal against Eastbourne in their 2-0 win.
Their Form:
🟢 AWAY WIN 1-3 vs Chippenham
🟡 HOME DRAW 1-1 vs Weston-Super-Mare
🟢AWAY WIN 1-2 vs Ebbsfleet United
🟡 AWAY DRAW 1-1 vs Hemel Hempstead
🟢 HOME WIN 2-0 vs Farnham Town (FA Trophy Second Round)
Horsham return to the Focus Community Arena just three weeks after their League Visit which was the first time they had played The Tudors since 2001.
Horsham are unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions which sees them currently sit 5th in the League table on 38 points. This leaves them just 4 points off Hornchurch at the top of the table and they’re currently the only team in the Play-Off places to be undefeated in their last 5 games.
Their last FA Trophy game would see them beat Farnham Town 2-0 and with their record in the FA Trophy being a visit to the 4th round in 2024 they will be fired up for this game to go and equal that.
Having not played The Tudors since 2001 The Hornets will have taken lots of knowledge from their recent visit and will come back looking for revenge after a late equaliser saw them just miss out on a very valuable 3 points in the race for promotion.
Ones To Watch
Reece Meekums
Joined: September 2023
Position: Midfielder
Reece came through the ranks at Brighton playing for the team at both U18 and U23 level before moving to play in the National League with Bromley. Reece would enjoy loan spells at Worthing, Eastbourne and Bognor Regis before an eventual move to Worthing in 2018/19.
His move to Horsham started as an initial loan in 23/24 before an eventual full-time move. Reece has brought experience to the club as well as goals and has quickly become one of the key players within the starting eleven.
Reece scored against The Tudors on their visit three weeks ago which is 1 of 5 league goals for him now this season.
James Hammond
Joined: July 2023
Position: Midfielder
James made his debut with Peacehaven & Telscombe at just 16 years old before joining Lewes in 2015 where he would go on to make almost 200 appearances. James then moved to Eastbourne Borough in 2020 before his move to Horsham in 2023.
He has developed a reputation as a dead ball expert carrying an impressive record of goals from set pieces. Already this season James has been on the scoresheet four times in the League with two assists making him a threat for The Tudors.
He has been a key asset to their squad starting all 22 games of their National League campaign so far.
Greg Luer
Joined: July 2025
Position: Forward
Greg is one of the new signings for this season and has been a great asset for the team carrying Premier League experience. He began his career at Burgess Hill Town before securing a move to Hull City in 2015/16 where he would feature in the starting line up on the opening day of the Premier League season.
Greg would then enjoy loan spells at EFL Clubs Port Vale, Scunthorpe and Stevenage before joining Woking in 2018. Has experience with several EFL Clubs and National League Clubs which makes him a brilliant person to have in the dressing room especially in a promotion chasing season and cup run.
He has already made an impact scoring two league goals with three assists and looked very sharp at The Focus Community Arena on their last visit.
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