Cadbury smelling sweet success in the Emirates FA Cup

Cadbury are best known for their confectionery, but former Birmingham City striker Dean Lea hopes he can put their football team on the map with victory in the Emirates FA Cup preliminary round on Saturday.

With their kit a familiar purple, Midlands-based Cadbury Athletic previously played their home games a stone’s throw from the chocolate factory in Bourneville and can claim to be a breeding ground for Daniel Sturridge and Demarai Gray during their tender years.

But it is their present rather than their history that concerns boss Lea.

He masterminded a 2-0 victory in the extra preliminary round to advance to this stage of the competition for the first time in the club’s history.

And the 25-year-old believes the step-six side can continue to make a stir when they travel to Sporting Khalsa.

“This is a unique club,” said the 25-year-old. “It is such a popular name and with it being such a big corporation, a lot of the teams have obviously heard of us.

“But we want to go out there and show we are good as individuals and make a name for ourselves as a team, rather than just because it is Cadbury’s and the chocolate link.

“We are a good football team and we are here to play.

“Playing in the FA Cup is every boy’s dream. I had a decent run at professional football having played for Birmingham City and any chance to play at that standard again against those kind of players is something you look forward to.

“We don’t get many perks from playing under the name but I think there should be some selection boxes given out if we go on a good run!”

Sporting Khalsa have never progressed beyond this stage of the competition, but in assistant manager Peter Wood they boast someone with FA Cup pedigree.

The 33-year-old played in the first round proper for Evesham against Torquay in 2008.

And, with the club still on a high having won the West Midland Regional League Premier Division last term with a record points tally, Wood is eyeing an extended FA Cup run.

“Given the level that we are playing at, winning two or three games in the competition would count as a good run and then if we draw one of the bigger non-league clubs that would be our equivalent of a chance at a giant-killing,” he said.

“The club have never made it to the first qualifying round, but we fancy our chances. Cadbury are among the lowest ranked teams left in the competition, so it’s a good opportunity.

“They look a good side and we know they are not to be taken lightly, but we can make a real statement this weekend and make history for the club.

“I know from personal experience at Evesham that when you do get a good run attendances rise and this is what we want for the club.”