Yeovil Town manager Darren Way says his squad are looking forward to attempting to achieve the “extraordinary” when they take on Manchester United in the Emirates FA Cup on Friday night.
This fourth-round tie at Huish Park will be a huge occasion for the League Two outift and presents the opportunity to mix it with one of the world’s biggest clubs.
Yeovil are currently battling to keep themselves above the relegation zone in League Two but have been in excellent form in the Emirates FA Cup, beating Bradford City, Port Vale and Southend United to reach this stage.
Way racked up over 200 appearances for the Glovers in his playing days and has been on the coaching staff since 2010, meaning he’s the perfect person to motivate his team for the daunting task of going toe-to-toe with Jose Mourinho’s Red Devils.
“The players have worked very hard to get to this position now – it’s about making sure our preparation is right to give us the chance to make history,” said the 38-year-old.
“Ordinary people do extraordinary things. We have to believe it’s important. The players believe we can achieve the unbelievable and dream.
“We can only do that by hard work and determination. It’s probably the night of their lives with the young squad we have here.
“If we get a result, it will be the biggest achievement in the club’s history. I want the players to believe in themselves.”
Way’s playing career was ended by a serious car crash at the age of 28 back in 2008, after which Sir Alex Ferguson took a team to Huish Park for the Yeovil stalwart’s testimonial two years later.
The former midfielder says the crash affected how he approaches life, and incidentally this match, as well as what an Emirates FA Cup run has meant to the club and its supporters.
“When I get in in the morning, it’s normally quiet but for the past two or three days at 3.30am, we have had supporters camping out to get tickets,” he added. “Everyone wants to be part of it!”
“You also have to say financially, we have pressure from the board to balance the books.
“Every year, I have to deliver with a cup run – I know it will keep people here in jobs.
“Nobody knows what is around the corner. I dream big as I have had a life-or-death situation
“I wake up every day excited by the challenge that lies ahead and I’ve told the players to dream bigger than ever before.”
Emirates FA Cup history
Manchester United have won the competition 12 times in their history, second only to Arsenal, who have won it on 13 occasions.
Yeovil, then a non-league team, defeated Sunderland in the fourth round in 1949 before going on to play United at Maine Road (Old Trafford was out of action at the time) in front of 81,000 supporters – their best-ever run in the competition.
Did you know?
Yeovil also reached the fourth round in the 2013-14 season, where they lost 2-0 away at Southampton.
The prize
The winner of Friday night’s tie will earn £90,000 and a place in the fifth round.
