As an unlikely FA Cup winner Alan Devonshire is well placed to understand the romance of the competition.
The West Ham United legend lifted the famous trophy in 1980, after Sir Trevor Brooking’s goal was enough to defeat much-fancied Arsenal in The Final at Wembley.
Fast-forward 34 years and Devonshire is preparing to do battle in The Cup once again, as he leads his Conference Premier side into a First Round Proper tie against League One outfit Chesterfield.
Braintree Town v Chesterfield
FA Cup First Round Proper
2pm, Sunday 9 November
The Amlin Stadium, Essex
Winners receive £18,000 from The FA Prize Fund
And Devonshire says memories of his victorious day at Wembley remain as strong as ever.
“It was a great day,” he told TheFA.com. “I remember it being very hot and that we were quietly confident.
“When we went on the pre-match walkabout we were in a good mood, and I remember when the Arsenal players came out they looked very pensive and as if they had the weight of the world on their shoulders.
“We fancied our chances big time. We started brightly and scored early. From then it was quite comfortable, I think they only had one or two shots for the whole game.”
He continued: “It was a great day. Playing in front of 100,000 people in an FA Cup Final, it’s what everyone dreams about as a kid. I was lucky enough to do it and get the win as well.”
But it was not only his memories of the day inside the stadium that still resonate with Devonshire.
Alan Devonshire has been in charge at Braintree since 2011
After celebrating in London on the night, bleary eyed, he and his team-mates took the trophy home to east London – and it was there that he says the magic of The Cup was clear for all to see.
“We partied in London in the evening and then the Sunday morning we all got up, with a few headaches, and headed to East Ham Town Hall,” he added.
“We drove through the streets of West Ham and there were thousands and thousands of fans. Heads out of windows, climbing traffic lights – everything. It was incredible.
“That Sunday, seeing the happiness on all the West Ham fans’ faces, will live with me for the rest of my life. Best weekend of my career without a shadow of a doubt.”
And now, as he prepares once again to battle the odds in The FA Cup, he says Sunday’s fixture against Chesterfield will be an altogether different experience.
“My experience of winning won’t make too much difference on Sunday though,” he said.
“Seeing the happiness on all the West Ham fans’ faces will live with me for the rest of my life”
Alan Devonshire 1980 FA Cup winner
“It’s just up to them to go out there and enjoy it. They need to work hard, enjoy every one of the 90 minutes. 'Do yourselves proud and don’t let yourselves down' will be the message.
“We’re underdogs, we know that and we make no bones about it.
“Chesterfield have done really well, I’ve seen them play and watched them a few times on DVD and they’re a good side. It will be difficult for us, we’re a part-time club.
“But we’re in the hat, we’re in the First Round – if we play really well and they have an off-day then we might have a chance. You never know and that’s the beauty of The Cup."
Braintree take on Chesterfield at 2pm on Sunday.
