Dreaming of footballing giants in Cup

THE DRAW for the FA Cup third round is almost a football event in itself. Like the first day of the season, Boxing Day derbies and cup finals, it’s a special day in the calendar. There’s something about the anticipation of who will draw who – will a minnow get that dream tie with a footballing giant?

Some of us can remember when the draw was on a Monday lunchtime and you’d tune into the radio to hear all about it. Now it’s beamed into our living rooms and clubhouses but the tension remains the same.

Get one of the big boys and it can bring untold riches to a club. As Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor says on page 4, the money it can bring in can be “club changing”.

It’s the opportunity to improve the infrastructure, make those much-needed ground improvements and, for some, get that final piece of the jigsaw for the squad.

Lincoln City were the perfect recent example in Non-League football. The season they reached the quarter-finals, they were able to pay off their debts and build a new training ground. How long would it have taken them to do that without an influx of money they would have expected?

The key for clubs is not to budget for a cup run and then when it comes along that money can be put to good use. It has to be spent wisely, however.

For players it can be equally as life changing. While those of us in Non-League knew all about Jamie Vardy, he really came to prominence when he starred for Fleetwood in a cup match against Blackpool. Perform at the right time in front of the right people and the offers could come pouring in.

AFC Fylde fans will be dreaming of a Premier League big gun when the draw rolls around tomorrow. Then there are a host of Non-League names aiming to join them this afternoon before Solihull Moors take on Rotherham on Monday night.

For Maldon & Tiptree and Altrincham the dream was dashed in the final seconds of their FA Cup second round matches. Newport County and Portsmouth both struck late to spare their own blushes. Both clubs will look back on their runs with real pride, along with Kingstonian who should be equally proud of their efforts that ended with defeat against Fylde yesterday.

Let’s hope the Non-League clubs in the hat get the rewards.

There’s no doubting it’s important for this level of the game, as well as the FA Cup itself, that these ‘once in a lifetime’ games are pulled out.

Fingers crossed for tomorrow!