The Emirates FA Cup is a truly magical competition and it has sprinkled some of its magic dust on Biggleswade FC of the Pitching In Southern League Division One Central.
They have been handed a mouth-watering home draw against York City in the fourth round qualifying, the biggest game that the club has faced in its eight-year history.
“There is huge excitement at drawing at such a big and historic club and at home too,” Chairman, Jeremy Reynolds told us. “York City pushing hard at the top of the Vanarama National League means that we could hardly have a got a bigger club at this stage of the competition.
“We could only have dreamt of something like this when the club was founded in 2016; our history has been one of relentless progress, being faced with, and rising to, successively greater challenges.
“I originally was hoping for my hometown club, Southend United, who I have supported since childhood, but us being in the Northern region draw scuppered that! What a draw though! I have always felt that even though we only have short history, we have ‘unfinished business’ in the major cup competitions, falling short previously in both FA Vase and FA Cup ties, but no complaints this time and a fantastic tie to look forward to for our fans and everyone involved and connected with Biggleswade FC.
“Having a home tie makes it even more special for our fans and the local community of Biggleswade. We have always put up our best performances when playing against quality opponents and it doesn’t get much tougher than our visitors from York!
“The buzz that has gone around social media about our previous result and this tie has been extraordinary and we have had so many good wishes from the public as well as the local and wider football world. It has been brilliant exposure for our club and our profile has been raised enormously.
“It says a lot for our reputation as a football club that everyone has been so delighted for us, especially our fellow local clubs. Mixed with the excitement, of course, is a slight feeling of being daunted at what we need to do to get the match on – we have never been faced with an occasion such as this before – but I know that with the superb people we have at the club, they will rise to the challenge and make it a match and occasion to remember!
“Quite simply this is our biggest-ever match and occasion by far. It says so much about our meteoric rise that even being in play-offs for Step 3 and winning leagues and cups are put in the shade by this fourth round qualifying tie, considering who we are playing and what is at stake.
“The Bedfordshire Senior Cup win last season was fantastic and, of course, a highlight for us, but the opportunity of playing in front of perhaps over 2,000 people, against a famous football club, by far the highest league club we have ever played, makes Saturday week something very special indeed.
“The occasion is extremely important for a club like ours. Not having our own ground means that we have a limited revenue stream and we are constrained by what we are able to do. Our committee works very hard to bring in sponsors and put on events but the prize money and gate receipts from the FA Cup are crucial in helping us to be financially sustainable and meet the ever-increasing expenses that are faced by so many clubs like ours.
“Back to our profile being raised, we are hopeful too that this could help us attract new sponsors and eventually investors to help take our club to the next level. We have such a good ‘football story’ to tell here at Biggleswade FC, with our emphasis on localism, progression for young players and the community, I am hopeful that more people will be inspired to join with us and support us in any ways, including with financial backing!
“We are under no illusions about the task in front of us. Most Vanarama National League teams have been beaten by York City this season so we all know what should happen with us being a Step 4 club. But it is a cup competition and there have always been shocks and upsets, so why couldn’t it be us this time? We are in good form and play some wonderful football and will be cheered on by a huge body of support.
“Our coaching and management team is second to none and no team will be better prepared for a big game. The character and resilience of our team is something that was remarkable in adversity in the last round and we have a steeliness about us that will serve us well.
“All of our players enjoy playing together and are aware of what an opportunity this is to show what they can do - we saw how much progression there was when faced by a big occasion in last season’s Bedfordshire Senior Cup Final, when we showed how much we had learnt from the previous year’s Final.
“I am always so pleased to showcase our attractive, passing football in front of a large crowd and I know that whatever the result and outcome, we will give our best and make Bedfordshire football proud.
“For myself, having been with the club right from the start in 2016, I will be excited and nervous but above all immensely proud of our football club and all it has achieved and delighted for everyone who has supported and backed us – this game is for them too. I hope everyone enjoys every aspect of the occasion and who knows where we might be afterwards?”
IMAGE: Biggleswade FC
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