SE Dons: From YouTube and Sunday League to the brink of FA Cup history

SE Dons: Don Strapzy and Alex Teniola speak to William Bitibiri at Sky Sports as the club that started as a Sunday League team on YouTube chase FA Cup history; Beat Sholing on Satuday and they reach the first round proper, with Leicester among potential opponents

For years, Don Strapzy has said it while watching the SE Dons, his words becoming part of the soundtrack to a football club built on ambition, personality and a belief that the game belongs to everybody.

But when Alex Teniola scored in the 95th minute to complete a remarkable comeback against Chichester, the phrase found a new audience. The Dons had trailed 2-1 before scoring twice in added time to win 3-2. Don Strapzy's commentary went viral, capturing the kind of footballing drama that needs no embellishment.

There was more to come. A 5-1 victory away to former National League club Weymouth followed, leaving the Dons one win away from the FA Cup first round proper.

Three seasons ago, they were playing Sunday League football. Now, after six matches in their maiden FA Cup campaign, including a replay, they prepare to face Sholing in the fourth qualifying round, with Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday or Reading among the clubs waiting in the next round.

The Dons have already beaten four teams from higher leagues. They are one of only three clubs left in the competition to have started in the extra preliminary round.

This is not supposed to happen. But then, the Dons have never been particularly interested in what is supposed to happen.

"We are just normal people that dare to be great," Don Strapzy told Sky Sports .

The club, founded in 2014 by south-east London rapper Don Strapzy, real name Andrew McHugh, and his friends, has grown from a Sunday League team into a football club, a content platform and a community with more than 250,000 YouTube subscribers.

The videos have taken supporters inside dressing rooms, onto touchlines and into the lives of the people who make the club what it is. In 2024, a link-up with Forest Hill Park opened the door to Saturday football. Promotion followed, and the SE Dons name was adopted for the 2025/26 campaign.

Their FA Cup debut arrived in August. A 2-0 victory against Erith Town at their home ground, The Garrison, announced their arrival in the competition.

"I used to speak to my dad about this all the time," Don Strapzy said. "My dad, he'd have a Guinness, and we'd get carried away. Like, 'Son, we're going to get to round three, get Man Utd.'

That conversation carries a different weight now. His father, known affectionately as Mr Old Skool, has since passed. So has his mother, Paula, who was a familiar presence around the club and helped with the kits.

"It's allowed me to keep my parents' names alive," Don Strapzy said. "My mum, anything for Paula. People that haven't met her, I hear my mum's name all the time.