Rushden reunion as Kings Langley host Diamonds

When Danny Welbeck dumped former employers Manchester United out of The Emirates FA Cup in round six last season, the Arsenal man bucked the trend of refusing to celebrate his goal, such was the magnitude of the occasion.

And while Kings Langley joint-manager Ritchie Hanlon admits getting one over his old club might not have quite the same outpouring of emotion, he is still desperate to come out on top in their clash with AFC Rushden & Diamonds.

The 37-year-old – who manages the Kings alongside former Chelsea midfielder Paul Hughes – turned out 62 times in the Football League with Rushden & Diamonds in a three-and-a-half year stint, several years before their financial peril caused them to be expelled from the National League.

Hanlon’s greatest memories as a professional footballer include netting twice for the Diamonds in The FA Cup; one of which came in 2001’s second round defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion live on television.

And with the side surging through the standings in recent years to earn promotion to the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One Central, Hanlon is hopeful of a win on Saturday to keep the momentum going.

"It’s always good to play in The FA Cup," he said. "Especially against such good opposition, as AFC Rushden & Diamonds are a club that are making their way back into the game.

"Having played for them, I could hardly believe we’d drawn them to play in this round. I have great memories of my time at Rushden, and while it’s not all about me, winning this tie would mean a lot being an ex-player. I couldn’t wish for a better draw.

"On Facebook and Twitter, some of their fans have been trying to wind me up saying they are going to win, which has been brilliant and is all part of it.

"We’re only a village club and we’ve come an awful long way in the last couple of years. We’ve won promotion for two years running, so we’ve taken some large steps in a short space of time and are still finding our feet.

"It’s fantastic that such a big, original club at non-League level is now coming back in a different way. It’s going to be a big test for us but we’re definitely going all out to win, as financially a couple of wins in this competition can totally change the perspective of our club.

The Emirates FA Cup preliminary round takes place this weekend

"We’re desperate for the club house to be rebuilt, for example, and maybe we could get some stands and some terracing too and all the benefits that come with that. The club really needs it."

Diamonds’ manager Andy Peaks also harbours memories of Rushden’s glory days in the main draw, and insists that after the club’s rebirth in non-League football, they are ready to create some FA Cup magic once more.

Peaks, another former Rushden & Diamonds stalwart – albeit from a different era to his adversary on Saturday – has guided his side to an unbeaten start this term.

Having been promoted into the same division as Kings Langley, the teams will become familiar this year and Peaks is hoping to draw first blood.

"As a player, and now as a manager, playing in The FA Cup is always a massive occasion as it’s a competition that’s known all over the world," he said.

"So I always look forward to it and we’d love to progress from this game. The club’s had quite a good record in The FA Cup the last couple of years and it’s something I always take seriously, so I expect the players to do so as well.

"In my playing days with Rushden & Diamonds, I was lucky enough to get through to the first round and played against Cardiff. 

"You never lose the excitement you get from playing in The FA Cup. I remember vividly playing at Ninian Park; it was certainly one of the highlights of my career.

"The club has changed massively since then of course, but it still means the world to everyone that we are in this competition and we wouldn’t want it any other way.

"It’s going to be a really tough game for us and if we’re still in the draw – even with a replay – on Saturday night I’ll be very happy."