UP FOR THE CUP
Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman looks ahead to his side’s tie
ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman has urged his troops to seize their chance for FA Cup glory this term – and boost the club’s promotion prospects into the bargain.
The Lancashire side take time out from their League Two promotion challenge to visit National League outfit Guiseley this afternoon and will be determined to take a step towards a potential plum tie in round three.
“If you get knocked out, you are envious when the next round comes around and you’re not involved,” said the 55-year-old Liverpudlian. “You see other clubs and players get the recognition.
“We want to be there. We had a good run last year (Accrington beat Bradford, Woking and Luton before losing 1-0 at then-Premier League Middlesbrough) and would like to replicate that.”
As well as the publicity and profile a cup run can create, it also generates cash – and that’s something vital for League Two clubs. There is £18,000 in prize money for first round winners, while Stanley will bag £12,500 for television footage.
However, that potential £30,000 windfall would be chicken feed if Stanley could go on to land a giant in the third round and get live television coverage.
Coleman said: “Some clubs might want to concentrate on the league, but we’re in the position that we need a cup run to potentially make a signing in January.
“We are trying to grow and we don’t get the gates that a lot of other clubs do. The easiest way to make good money in the season is to have a cup run. Out of all the clubs in League Two, with the possible exception of Morecambe, we probably need a cup run.”
Difficult
But Coleman won’t be taking National League strugglers Guiseley, now managed by ex-Mansfield boss Paul Cox, for granted.
“I went to watch them, they’ve got a few ex-Accrington players and it’s going to be a difficult game,” he said. “Nine times out of ten, we’re the underdogs, so this is a role reversal and it’s a different type of pressure for us.”
Cox, meanwhile, is eager to create a bit of Lions history.
“The club has never been past the first round proper so there’s a nice little carrot for us,” said Cox, who took on Liverpool in his Mansfield days.
“We want to win, it’s as simple as that. We can afford to be gung-ho. People might say a draw is a good result but we might as well try to win it in 90 minutes and give it a right good go.”
The tie is one of nine taking place at 2pm this afternoon. Aside from the all-Non-League tie between Leatherhead and Billericay, all the others see an EFL team face Non-League opposition.
As well as the Guiseley versus Accrington clash, four others see EFL sides take on opponents from one rung down the ladder. Cambridge host one of last year’s heroes Sutton, Coventry entertain Alan Devonshire’s Maidenhead, Wycombe go to Solihull Moors and managerless Bury visit Woking.
Charlton and Swindon both face National League South sides – the Addicks host Truro, while Swindon visit Dartford.
Exeter will be fancied to beat Heybridge Swifts, who play in Bostik North, the fourth tier of Non-League football (see back
page). Meanwhile, Fleetwood go to National League North side Chorley tomorrow night.