Micky Hazard and Tottenham Hotspur retained the FA Cup in 1982 in front of 100,000 people, but the 56-year-old Hadley boss insists that reaching the fourth round qualifying would be his greatest-ever achievement.
Spurs legend Hazard added a UEFA Cup winners medal two years later when they downed defending champions Anderlecht over two legs and, though he now finds himself a world away managing Spartan South Midlands League side Hadley, his desire for cup success still burns bright.
Hadley’s run so far has been an exhibition in cup football, sneaking through five rounds by a single goal and knocking out Southern League Premier Division side Kings Langley thanks to Ivan Machado’s late winner.
Eastbourne Borough v Hadley
The Emirates FA Cup
Third Round Qualifying
3pm, Saturday 1 October 2016
Priory Lane, Eastbourne
Winners receive £7,500
By David Bates
Though his own FA Cup final exploits will live long in Spurs’ collective memory, the chance for his Hadley players to reach the first round proper with two more wins is a greater prize than anything Hazard has achieved – so much so he would consider dusting off his boots!
“If Hadley got through the third round qualifying, it would rank on anything that I have achieved in this competition,” Hazard said ahead of this weekend's trip to Eastbourne Borough.
“When you look at the history, the unbelievable footballers that have played in it, then it can only be the greatest club competition that has ever been.
“To get to the first round proper – listen, I would come out of retirement and play. It would be staggering. It would rank it as my greatest ever achievement in football, it’s not far off being that now.
“They are two rounds away from the first round proper. It really is phenomenal. This run has put me on cloud nine, and long may it continue. I don’t want it to end.
“For Hadley to achieve what they have so far is probably more of an achievement than what I did. I won it but my guys have played four FA Cup finals now this season and we have got a fifth on Saturday.
Did you know?
Hadley were formed in the same year – 1882 – as Hazard’s former club Tottenham Hotspur, which is also exactly 100 years before he helped Spurs lift the FA Cup.
Eastbourne Borough began life as Langney FC in 1964 before changing their name in 2001 to more accurately reflect the town they played in.
“It’s rare in life that you get a chance to exceed your wildest wishes, but these guys have progressed to this stage of the FA Cup and have done that.”
Eastbourne Borough represent Hadley’s toughest test to date but, with the FA Cup’s magic seemingly following Hazard around, he has urged his men to take no note of league position when they take to the field at Priory Lane.
He asked: “We’re playing a team a few leagues above us, but that doesn’t mean I need to believe they’re better than us. We’re in the cup that is renowned for its upsets, so why not us?
“The pressure is not on us; it is on Eastbourne Borough to go out, perform and beat us. We can relax and enjoy.”
FA Cup history
Eastbourne Borough reached the FA Cup first round for the first time in 2005-06 and managed to hold then-League Two side Oxford United to a 1-1 draw.
Though the Sports lost 3-0 in the replay at the Kassam Stadium, it was the first time the club were ever featured on national television and, with an attendance of 3,770, the first time their fans had to be segregated at Priory Lane.
They have subsequently reached the first round and played Weymouth and Barrow, losing on both occasions.
One to watch
Hadley top scorer Ivan Machado, a match winner in the last round, is missing through suspension, but Hazard insists his side have more than enough firepower to fill the void.
“Machado scored 44 goals for us last season and has scored a fair few more this season, he is the go-to man when you need a goal and he scored the winner in the last round,” he said.
“It is a big loss, but you can’t win a competition without losing people through injury or suspension.
“I have two or three match-winners who, on their day, are capable of producing magic. Nick Chrysanthou, Zane Gangadeen, Laste Dombaxe, who is a former Spurs youth player.”
The prize
A cheque for £7,500 awaits the winners as well as a spot in fourth round qualifying.
