Click here to rewatch the draw on the Fenix Trophy YouTube channel
We can confirm that we will face Norwegian fourth-tier outfit FC Oslo (formally known as Gamle Oslo FK) in the First Round of the Fenix Trophy, with the two-legged tie to take place between 1st September and 18th December.
The home and away leg dates will be determined via mutual agreement between the two sides, with the dates for the two matches expected to be announced by the end of next week. All ties will take place in midweek, either on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening. It is anticipated that the Swans will play the away leg first, for both sides to benefit from more favourable weather conditions in the Norwegian capital.
Founded in 2017, FC Oslo have experienced a similarly rapid rise through the leagues, having achieved three promotions of their own since 2018. The club is notably managed and co-owned by former Ghanaian goalkeeper Adam Larsen Kwarasey, who started between the sticks in Ghana’s opening game of the 2014 World Cup against the USA. Kwarasey was also a teammate of now-Arsenal skipper Martin Ødegaard at Strømsgodset in 2014, before moving stateside in 2015 to join Portland Timbers in the MLS.
Following the conclusion of the First Round, there will be a two-legged Second Round taking place between 1st January 2025 and 16th April 2025, with the winner of Walton & Hersham vs FC Oslo drawn to face the winner of Bury FC vs Gilla FC – Manchester and Helsinki-based sides respectively. Following the Second Round, there will be a ‘finals weekend’ at a currently unspecified venue in Italy in May, with the remaining four sides battling it out over an extended weekend in a one-legged semi-final and final for Fenix Trophy glory.
The Swans’ home tie against FC Oslo is set to be only the second time that European football has taken place in Walton-on-Thames, following our matchup against Italian side A.C. Jesolo in October 1973.
The Swans’ participation in the Fenix Trophy is still subject to Southern League and FA sanctioning, which we hope to receive as a formality by the end of this week.
Make sure to stay tuned to the official Walton & Hersham FC social media pages (@waltonhershamfc) and our website for official news regarding match dates.
For all enquiries, please email info@waltonhershamfc.com
