FUNK’S GONE ALL UPTOWN

RUDY FUNK has the ‘utmost respect’ for Boston United, but says all that will end once his AFC Mansfield side kick off the biggest game in their history on Saturday. The wonderfully-named boss led the Northern Counties East League minnows to their greatest ever FA Cup victory when they came from behind to stun Step 3 Rushall Olympic 2-1 in their own back yard in Tuesday night’s second qualifying round replay. And their reward was a home tie against a Boston United side, who already own their little piece of cup giant-killing history. Their 6-1 victory at Derby County in 1955 remains the biggest ever away victory of a Non-League club against a Football League side – and Funk is under no illusions as to the task that faces a club who have only been in existence since 2012. “Boston United are a great club with a great history and great players,” the former Scarborough Athletic and Rainworth MW boss told The NLP. “They deserve respect and we have to show them our utmost respect when they come to visit. “However, during the game, I do not care who they are. For 90 minutes, it’s about AFC Mansfield and us doing our jobs. “We are where we are on merit and if we can show the same kind of discipline, level of ability and hard work as we have been doing, then we believe we can give anyone a game. “In 20 years of management, I’ve never seen so much camaraderie and togetherness in a dressing room as ours right now so we have to be a bit careful how we prepare for Boston. I have to be level-headed and take things a game at a time, but in reality, the FA Cup is all the boys are talking about so I guess that has taken priority at the moment. I mean, we’re only human.” After holding Rushall to a 0-0 draw at their Forest Town Stadium on Saturday, the Bulls must have thought a first defeat of the season was on the cards once Andre Landell handed Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Olympic a first-minute lead in Tuesday night’s replay. But Funk’s men are made of sterner stuff and two goals in as many minutes in the second half from Matty Plummer and top-scorer Ollie Fearon helped seal a famous victory which has left the whole Derbyshire town buzzing. “It’s absolutely brilliant, the phone hasn’t stopped ringing,” Funk added. “We have had a lot of support from the town and we’re hoping they will come out in force next Saturday. “To beat a big club and good footballing side like Rushall Olympic shows just where we are at the moment, we’re really enjoying the ride. “The club are delighted and very proud to be in third qualifying round for the second year running and this is, without doubt, the biggest game in the club’s history, so we’re going to enjoy it!”