FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Ian Richards is determined to end Stocksbridge Park Steels’ long FA Cup hoodoo.
Stocksbridge host Golcar United tomorrow seeking to win an FA Cup game for the first time since 2011.
“It is probably not its brightest highlight of the last ten years,” Richards told Non League Yorkshire when asked to describe the club’s record in the FA Cup in the last ten years.
“I think Chris Hilton has recognised that with you before so I’m not speaking out of turn.
“It is not something the club has done well so it is something I want to rectify.
“We had success in the FA Cup at Penistone when we got to play Harrogate Town away in front of over 1000 people.
“The FA Cup raises the profile of the club.
“It puts players in the shop window and brings a feel-good factor and (at Penistone Church) we kicked on in the league.
“It does bring a lot of positives to your club so I’m hoping we can at least win a couple of games in it and build a bit of momentum.”
Standing in Stocksbridge’s way are Toolstation NCEL Premier Division new-boys Golcar.
Ambitious Golcar have signed players like Ash Flynn and Kayle Price this summer so Richards is aware his side face a test.
“It is another club who is ambitious with their finances and the players they are recruiting,” he said.
“We won’t be taking it lightly and they have played a competitive game so we have to make sure we are not rusty and we’re ready,
“We’re at home, we’re in the FA Cup and it is our first game of the season so we have to make sure we have a good crowd and we’re up for it because they will be a really good side.”