Dean Brennan, once labelled the 'Irish Beckham', has enjoyed quite a start to life in management after calling time on a playing career he admits was tinged with regret.
Last season his Hemel Hempstead side won the Southern League Premier Division, lifting them into the sixth tier of English football for the first time in their history. Since he was appointed a little over two years ago the side's average attendance has quadrupled.
And this weekend Brennan will lead the club into The FA Cup First Round for the first time in 76 years – and the first time ever in the club's current guise – when they travel to League Two high-flyers Bury.
Bury v Hemel Hempstead Town
The FA Cup
First Round Proper
3pm, Saturday 8 November
Gigg Lane, Bury
Winning club will receive £18,000
He said: "I wasn't around when Hemel were last in the First Round – and I think they've changed their name since then.
"It's the first time we've been in the Conference South and it's the first time in The FA Cup First Round which is really pleasing for us. The whole place is buzzing."
It is 15 years ago since then-Premier League side Sheffield Wednesday signed the Dublin-born dead ball specialist when he was just a teenager.
However a nomadic career was to follow, which would take him to 17 clubs. And, with only two FA Cup appearances to his name, it is a competition that does not hold many happy memories for him.
But he is desperate to change all that now he is in the dugout.
"Playing in The FA Cup? I can't remember – it was that long ago," he said. "But as a player I never fulfilled my potential, I was never a good enough professional and I never sacrificed enough.
"As a manager I'm totally different and I sacrifice everything. I have no excuses and know everything about the opposition.
"All we ask them to do is work hard – it's no secret, work hard and be honest. There is a good old saying in football: reliability is better than ability.
"We've got an average age of around 22 and I say to the young players all the time just give yourself the best opportunity and have no regrets."
Now his players have the opportunity to make history at Gigg Lane on Saturday – but Brennan is not expecting any complacency from the side who are currently just two points off the top of League Two.
He added: "I'd be very surprised if they overlook or underestimate us. They've watched us in action – they had three watching us on Saturday. They will leave no stone unturned and I expect them to do their homework."
And what about that Beckham comparison?
He explained: "It was something I was called when I was at Wimbledon and used to take the free-kicks.
"But I didn't play for very long there, I was injured for four or five months. That was a long time ago but I'm definitely always still practising the free-kicks on the training ground."
