Last night’s FA Cup first-round draw offered a pretty stark reminder of just how far Leicester City have fallen.
Just five years after lifting the trophy at Wembley, the Foxes are now in League One and facing a first-round tie for the first time since 2008. Russell Martin's side, currently 14th in the table, will travel to Oxford City, a sixth-tier side sitting third in the National League North.
The contrast is hard to ignore. Leicester were FA Cup winners in 2021; now, they face a trip to a non-league ground and an artificial pitch as they try to rebuild their fortunes.
There are plenty of other intriguing ties involving League One clubs. Sheffield Wednesday will travel to League Two’s Oldham Athletic, while league leaders Bradford City will host Marine.
The draw has also produced a rather unusual family affair. Peterborough United manager Robbie Savage will come up against his son Charlie, who plays for Reading, in an all-League One tie.
As ever, though, much of the FA Cup’s appeal lies in the possibility of a giant-killing. Tadley Calleva, the lowest-ranked side left in the competition at Step 9, could face League One Barnsley if they come through their replay against Aldershot.
There is another non-league story to keep an eye on, too. Step 8 side AFC Rushden & Diamonds have battled through five rounds to reach this stage and will now travel to Burton Albion.
For Leicester, however, the draw is a reminder of a very different reality to the one they knew just a few years ago.