His superstitious players carry out numerous rituals before matches, debating who must leave the changing room first and last to where they must sit, leaving Forrest to question whether his team will actually make it onto the pitch at all.
Norton United v Shildon
The FA Cup
Fourth Round Qualifying
3pm, Saturday 25 October 2014
Norton CC & MWI, Norton United FC
Winners receive £12,500 from prize fund
By Dan Ludlam
"We have so many superstitions it's unbelievable, I don't know of any player that doesn't have one," he revealed.
"Who goes out of the changing room first and last; players have to hang their gear in the same place - it's all part of their routine.
"If it brings positive results then I'm not really too fussed as long as we actually make it out in time to play."
Shildon of the Northern League Division One, tier nine in the football pyramid, are one of the lowest ranked sides left in the competition having started their FA Cup campaign back in August.
Five rounds and seven games later, Forrest takes his side to Northern Premier League Division One South side Norton United, a level up from Shildon, with the opportunity to reach the First Round Proper for only the third time in the club's history.
Shildon's main priority is to win their division but Forrest is hoping that his side's extended FA Cup run will not act as a distraction.
"Our objective is to win the league; The FA Cup can have a serious impact on your form," he said.
"We've missed a lot of our league fixtures and have several games in hand on teams in our division, so it can be very mentally taxing.
"But you can't take anything away from what The Cup offers and it provides great money for the club and the buzz it can bring to supporters is unmatched."
