Jamie Vardy’s record-breaking exploits in the Premier League have catapulted his former club Stocksbridge Park Steels into the spotlight in recent weeks.
But the Evo-Stik Division One South side deserve attention in their own right as they prepare for this weekend’s FA Trophy first round clash at Gateshead.
The Steels have won four away ties just to make the first round proper and in the previous round they knocked out the Trophy holders – North Ferriby United – and manager Chris Hilton insists his side remain fearless.
Gateshead v Stocksbridge Park Steels
FA Trophy first round
Gateshead International Stadium
3pm Saturday 12 December 2015
Winning sides receive £5,000 from The FA prize fund
“It’s a fantastic achievement for us. We have had to win four ties just to get here and we were drawn away in each one against four good sides,” he said.
“We were over the moon to beat last year’s winners, we have certainly had to do it the hard way and the lads deserve all the credit.
“That was a massive a result, they were two divisions above us, flying in their league and we went down there hoping to bring them back to our place so to get the win was amazing.
“We are in a no-lose situation now. No one expected us to get this far. We were meant to lose the last couple of games.
“The Trophy and FA Cup bring prestige and of course financial rewards, so the chairman is happy he can put some more money in the bank.”
Their hosts this Saturday are Gateshead of the National League – with new manager Neil Aspin only two games into his tenure at the International Stadium.
“The Trophy is always important. Anything with a final at Wembley is a big competition”
Neil Aspin Gateshead manager
Last year the Heed made the third round and Aspin knows that his injury-hit side will still be expected to do the job against their lower league opposition.
“I don’t think it matters when you play a Trophy game, it’s always important,” he said. “Anything with a final at Wembley as the prize is a big competition.
“We are favourites to win but we have a lot of injuries – but when you are the higher league team you are expected to win, I accept that, and we have to go out there and a professional job.”
And the side story of Vardy will also continue between the two managers, as it was Aspin who signed the England striker from Stocksbridge during his time in charge of Halifax.
“I wouldn’t say I knew he would be play for England but I always said he was destined to go higher,” he added.
“I even offered him to a few Premier League clubs back then, he always had great potential and I’m delighted to see him fulfilling it.”
Steels boss Hilton, meanwhile, did not cross paths with Vardy as manager but his playing career was – coincidentally – brought to an end by the striker.
“I played against him when I was at Frickley,” recalled Hilton. “That was one of the last games of my career. He was that quick that I thought I might have left it too late but at least I went out against one of the best!
“His run has brought more publicity to the club, the way he has set off in the Premier League shows what bringing people through can achieve.
“We have got media coming down from all over the world, Denmark, America – it’s been mad – all taking photos and doing stories, it’s been fantastic.”
