Alex Pike says watching his Gosport Borough side walk out against Colchester on Sunday will be the realisation of a dream.
Gosport had never qualified for The First Round Proper before, but after beating Willand Rovers 3-1 in the final qualifying were handed the opportunity to on Colchester on Sunday.
And it is an occasion that manager Pike says he cannot wait witness.
Gosport Borough v Colchester United
The FA Cup
First Round Proper
2pm, Sunday 9 November
Privett Park, Gosport
Winning club will receive £18,000
He said: “I’m thoroughly looking forward to the occasion.
“It’s the first time I’ve been there, and it’s the first time my club has been there as well. To play against league opposition is going to be fantastic.”
Gosport ply their trade in the Conference South, while their opposition play three tiers above in League One.
“Everyone was ecstatic when we saw who we’d got,” he continued.
“We could have easily ended up with another non-League team and as this is the first time we’ve ever reached this stage of the competition we didn’t want to be disappointed.
“So to get League opposition, and even better League One opposition, it’s a dream come true for us.
Despite the prestige of their visitors on Sunday, Pike’s side will still fancy their chances of causing an upset.
With seven defeats to non-League opposition in the past two decades – the old adage of form and reputation going out the window in The Cup may ring true come Sunday.
With two Wembley finals in recent years Gosport fans have enjoyed an exciting time following their club
And they are no strangers to the big occasion – having reaching Wembley twice in recent years, first for The FA Vase Final, and second for the finale of The FA Trophy 12 months ago.
“We’ve been lucky,” he said.
“We’ve had four good seasons. We’ve had two consecutive play-off finals, we got promoted and then last year we got to Wembley in The FA Trophy Final.
“Now this year we’re in the First Round Proper so we’ve given the fans something to cheer about.”
Asked whether the big-day experience could help them conquer their full-time opponents, Pike insisted the occasions cannot be compared.
“It’s a completely different feeling and one that we can enjoy it,” he said.
“People don’t expect us to win the game so we can actually go out there and play our game”
Alex Pike Gosport Town manager
“It’s almost like a free hit because we’re the underdogs. We’re non-League, Colchester are expected to come and beat us.
“So we can enjoy the occasion and pit ourselves against full-time professionals is a wonderful feeling and a great occasion to look forward to.”
“I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a free-hit and we’ll go out there with no pressure.
“People don’t expect us to win the game so we can actually go out there and play our game – and see where it takes us.”
