FA Cup
Ian Richards says FA Cup heroes Stocksbridge Park Steels’ huge home third qualifying round tie against Ashington is the club’s “biggest” for over a decade.
Hundreds will converge on Bracken Moor as the Steels and the Northern League giants go toe-to-toe, bidding to move to within one win of the prestigious First Round proper and a potential draw with the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley.
“It is the biggest game for 11 years for the club because that’s the last time we got this far (to the third qualifying round) in the FA Cup,” Richards told Non League Yorkshire.
“Before the start of the season we hadn’t won for 11 seasons in the FA Cup so to do what we have done is a great achievement by the players.
“It is a big game but for the players we are just going to treat it as the next one.
“But for the club we should rightly enjoy the day, give a good account of ourselves and enjoy the publicity that it brings.”
Ironically the last time Ashington reached the fourth qualifying round was also 11 years ago.
Richards says their visitors’ lower ranked status is irrelevant as they have already staged a giant-killing act on two occasions.
But he does admit it is a good draw for both clubs.
“First and foremost it is a home tie and it is a comparable team,” he said.
“Yes they are Step 5 but we know how strong that Northern League is.
“They beat Bradford (Park Avenue) in the last round and rightly so from speaking to a couple of Bradford players.
“They deserved it and they beat Ashton United in a replay in the round before.
“So it is tough opposition.
“We have to be happy with the draw and have belief and confidence that we can progress.
“I think it will be tougher than Marine and Atherton because they maybe came thinking they were going to win.
“Ashington like us will be seeing it as a massive opportunity to go as far as the club has been in the FA Cup.
“We have only got to the fourth qualifying round once before so it is a huge opportunity for both clubs.
“I’m expecting a full-blooded high-intensity game between two competitive sides.”
What the FA Cup has done for Stocksbridge is help raise attendances which delights Richards.
“When we came in (last year) we got the crowds up 30% on what they were previously,” he said.
“They have been okay at the start of this season but these FA Cup have started to generate more people coming into watch.
“Those people are speaking really positively about the experience they have.
“We have to maintain that and ultimately the better we do on-the-pitch the more people will come and watch.
“It is a great football club to come and watch football.
“You get a great experience and value for money.
“There’s a good clubhouse, club shop and refreshments area so we’re hoping the crowds will continue to increase.”
The Steels have also received a lot of prize money so far from the competition.
Richards says those funds will be reinvested back into the club to make it stronger.
“I said at the start of the season that I wanted to do well in one of the national competitions and we have done that,” he said.
“I would like to see if we can get to the cup final of the Sheffield Senior Cup.
“We would like to finish with more points than last season in the league.
“I’m confident with this group of players.
“In every game we have been competitive. We were unfortunate against Ossett like we were when we lost in the last minute against Stockton.
“We need to be better in certain areas but we’re very positive.
“This cup run should bring confidence.
“In terms of the financial side (of the cup run) it will be invested back in the infrastructure of the club.
“I know what my budget is between the start of the season and end of it so it is important I maximise that.
“You won’t see me asking the chairman for extra money because I respect that the club has to come first and its longevity is most important.”