Handsworth’s FA Cup run has been an unforgettable ride for Russ Eagle but it won’t stop this weekend if he has his way.
Fearless Handsworth have defied the odds to cause four upsets – with the win at giants Halesowen in the last round the most notable scalp.
Now Eagle is set to march his men onto the club’s biggest stage yet on Saturday when they head to higher league Pontefract Collieries for the crunch third qualifying round tie.
“Every time we win a game in the FA Cup it is the biggest thing we have done as a club,” Eagle told Non League Yorkshire.
“When you go back through our little history, the club started by winning the NCEL Division One and the President’s Cup.
“Now we have got to the third qualifying round of the FA Cup.
“To be able to turn round and say we’ve got the club to the highest point it has ever been in FA Cup makes me proud and it is something you can never take away from us as a group.
“Hopefully we’ll make history and hopefully the next time we speak it is about the biggest thing ever to happen at the Football Club
“I’m hoping it is week-on-week-on that we talk!”
The Ambers have knocked out AFC Mansfield, Stocksbridge Park Steels, Coventry United and Halesowen so far.
Beating the Colls would be a fifth upset.
Eagle – in his second spell at Olivers Mount – admits he is stunned by the run.
“It is phenomenal and unbelievable to have got to the stage where we are,” he said.
“It is unreal for the club and everyone involved.
“It is almost unheard for a club in our league to reach this stage from what people are saying.
“I haven’t looked myself but from what people are saying, it has been quite a few seasons.
“Four upsets is unreal and I’ve never been involved in anything like this.
“I’ve been around for a while and never seen it.
“I’ve won leagues, promotions, cups.
“As a Non League manager at my level; when the FA Cup and FA Vase comes around, these are National competitions.
“People nationally are talking about Handsworth FC so for me that it is the bee-all-and-end-all.
“To have your club spoken about nationally is up there for me.
“I don’t want it to stop.
“I want it to continue and continue as long as it can.
“I’ll do everything I can to make that happen.”
Both Ponte and Handsworth had been dreaming of a money-spinning tie against National North giants such as York City.
But drawing each other changes the mindset for both teams and Eagle agrees that himself and Ponte will view it as a winnable fixture.
“First I thought ‘oh no I’m away’,” he said.
“Second I thought ‘we’ve got a chance of getting to the next round’ which Ponte will have as well.
“They will have looked at it and like us wanted the bigger draw.
“They have home advantage and they will look at it and say ‘we’ve got a right chance of getting to the fourth qualifying round’.
“They will look at it the same as me.”
What also makes the tie special is the fact both clubs are deeply-rooted in their communities.
They have large junior sections and various community projects with their grounds used almost 24/7 on a daily basis.
The prize money from their runs is substantial and Eagle says like Ponte, Handsworth will invest it to improve their club rather than on the playing squad.
“When I came back to the club I sat down with the chairman John (Ward) and (vice-chairman) Steve (Holmes) and we set out what we needed to do,” he said.
“We have built year on year on.
“We know anything that we bring into the club helps the club.
“Our prize money is solely for the club and the club will distribute into the infrastructure.
“(As a team) we’re not interested in the prize money.
“It is nothing to us.
“For us it is; can we get the club to the next round?
“Our motivation is not money.
“Our motivation is to do well for the club.”