FA CUP SPECIAL: Daish is Fleet's best - Edwards

KENT HEROES Ebbsfleet United are gunning for FA Cup glory up at Crewe Alexendra on Saturday - yet another big game for the Stonebridge Road club in 2008, writes Stephen McCartney.

No-one could ever forget those two emotional driven FA Carlsberg Trophy Semi-Final clashes against Aldershot Town that sealed a trip to Wembley Stadium for the very first time in the club’s history.

And on 10^th May 2008, the Kentish Football family united to cheer on The Fleet to a famous 1-0 victory over favourites Torquay United.

Last week, The Fleet needed a replay to see off fellow Blue Square Premier side Woking in the fourth and final qualifying round of the FA Cup and are the sole non-league representatives from The Garden of England in the first round proper of the FA Cup.

Everything is in place for The Fleet to cause an upset at Coca-Cola League One strugglers, Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road on Saturday.

The Cheshire side are presently second-from-bottom in the table, without a win in eleven games, although they did defeat Stockport County 3-2 in the Cheshire Premier Cup, and although The Fleet haven’t won in five league games themselves, this is The FA Cup and hopefully the Kent side will be making the national headlines over the weekend.

“Yes, this is another big day out for our fans and a day in which we can put our recent run of indifferent league form behind us,” said Fleet secretary Roly Edwards, when speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk earlier in the week.

“This is a one-off game and the players will most definitely be out to upset the odds.

“There is a big point to prove and I would not bet against us causing a major upset on Saturday.”

With numerous former Football League clubs now plying their trade in the Blue Square Premier, Ebbsfleet United relish the underdog tag.

And when asked what the secret behind the club’s successful year, Mr Edwards points to the decision to turn the club into a professional outfit three years ago.

“No secret, we have a team of quality hard working players,” he said. “The move to full-time status a few years ago is a major factor.

“The players are well drilled, organised and much fitter. I think it would be very difficult nowadays to win the FA Trophy, for example, as a part-time team.”

Mr Edwards urged MyFootballClub members to renewal their memberships next February to ensure the Stonebridge Road club enjoys more days out like Aldershot, Wembley and Crewe for many years to come.

“Of course money always helps but as has been proven on many occasions it’s not a guarantee to success,” he said.

“Members renewals in February is clearly a critical time for the club, but I would rather be in our position of having no debt or not having to rely on banks for funds.

“The majority of clubs in non-league and indeed the Football League are reliant on their banks to service their debt, not a good situation to be in at the moment.”

Relegation for the club would, however, be critical, but despite not winning any of their last five Blue Square Premier games, dropping a division is not on the agenda.

“We are an established Conference club and have set our sights upwards not down,” said Mr Edwards.

“Relegation is not something that anyone at Stonebridge Road is contemplating. I believe that Liam will get us back on track very soon. I have every faith in the management team and players.”

But attentions this week move away from the rigours of the Blue Square Premier, as the club travel to Gresty Road to plot a FA Cup First Round shock.

“It is fair to say that neither side will be going into the game brimming with confidence,” admits the Fleet secretary.

“We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Crewe will not be looking forward to playing us, I can guarantee that.”

Mr Edwards finished by saying Daish and not forgetting his assistant manager, Alan Kimble and the backroom team, are the most successful in the club’s history.

“I would go so far to say that Liam Daish is the best manager that the club has ever had,” he said.

“I have never met a man more driven and single minded in what he wants to achieve than Liam.

“Our win at Wembley will go down in history as the club’s greatest achievement so far. Only League football will surpass that and whilst looked a big ask this season, I have every faith that we will get there in the not too distant future.”

Visit Crewe Alexandra's website: www.crewealex.co.uk

Visit Ebbsfleet United’s website: www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game.

Crewe Alexandra v Ebbsfleet United
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) First Round Proper
Saturday 8^th November 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At The Alexandra Stadium, Gresty Road, Crewe CR2 6EB