KINGSTONIAN MANAGER IS EYEING TIE WITH BLUES FOR PART-TIMERS
HAYDEN BIRD has his head firmly focused on today’s FA Cup second-round clash with AFC Fylde – but his heart longs for an encounter with his beloved Chelsea.
The FA Cup third round is almost in sight for Kingstonian and holds almost unthinkable rewards for a club who share their tiny 2,000-capacity King George’s Field ground with Corinthian Casuals, having lost their Kingsmeadow home two years ago.
Bird took over as the K’s manager in the summer after steering Merstham to the first round of the FA Cup in 2016.
The 48-year-old runs a limousine firm as his main job while steering the fortunes of the Surrey Isthmian Premier League side.
And he is an ardent Blues fan. Having had a season ticket at Chelsea since 1985, Bird rates John Terry as his favourite player and regards Stamford Bridge as his second home.
When his dad,Alan – also a Chelsea diehard – died 29 years ago, Hayden said he was lost.
“My dad first took me there,” said Bird. “In the days after he died, I used to go up to the Bridge, which had not been developed like it has now.
“I’d wander in during the week and the groundsman would let me go out and sit in the centre circle and just remember my dad.
“They’d never let that these days.”
Bird’s side overcame cash-strapped League Two side Macclesfield – who had to field a virtual youth team – in the first round.
He knows a tie against National League Fylde is a daunting obstacle for his part-timers.
But he said: “This is a winnable tie. You could not have asked for more than a home game like this at this stage.
“The third round is on the horizon. But we have to overcome this hurdle first – and it is a formidable one.
“Fylde are a good side with some very good players. I think both teams will be you do
Bird wants to take on a Premier League club – and he hopes it is Chelsea totally focused on this game – simply because of the rewards.
“But I have got to be honest – Chelsea would be the dream draw for me in the third round if we can get through.
“As a fan, it’s what you dream of. We are only 90 minutes from that.
“My fear is that we lose and then Fylde get drawn away at Stamford Bridge.”
Kingstonian reached the fourth round in
2001 – when they lost to Bristol City in a replay – but it has been a roller-coaster for the Surrey club since.
In those heady days, they finished fifth in the Conference, won the FA Trophy two consecutive years and looked set for bigger things. But then the money ran out. The K’s were relegated to the Ryman League Division One, and were last year forced to play games at nearby Leatherhead.
It has been a long, hard road back.
Bird, whose favourite manager is Jose Mourinho, said: “The prize at stake here is huge for both of these clubs.
“We could be playing a Premier League club in the next round.
“I just want to help put this club on the football map again after the tough times they have had.”