Gorman dreaming of national limelight

ERITH & BELVEDERE joint-manager Paul Gorman has warned his side against complacency when they travel to basement boys East Preston in the FA Cup Preliminary Round on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

East Preston are rock bottom of the Sussex County League with three defeats from their opening three games, but Gorman has warned his side not to take them lightly.

“I hope the boys give a good account of themselves,” Gorman told www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight.

“We know it’s going to be a hard game. East Preston will not lie down and die like most teams would. They will be fighting to get into the next round, like we do.”

A possible home Kent derby against Sittingbourne is on the cards in the first qualifying round in two weeks time, but Gorman would like to go even further.

“The FA Cup gives inspiration to any team wanting to do well in it,” said Gorman. “Who knows where you could end up?

“Cozzy (Chris Cosgrove) wants Leeds United (in the first round proper), I want Man. United, but you can always dream.

“Everybody in the Kent League wants a good win and show how good the Kent League is.”

Gorman has challenged returning star Matt Johnson to turn on the style and send the Sussex side packing.

“Everyone knows he’s been training with Dagenham & Redbridge, so he should be fitter than most people,” said Gorman.

“I want him to go out there and express himself. He’s an experienced Kent League player.“

During the 1990’s, striker Gorman was part of the Charlton Athletic side that were defeated 3-1 by Manchester United in the quarter-finals, playing against the likes of legends Peter Schmeical, Steve Bruce, Eric Cantona and Mark Hughes.

And Gorman recalled: “It was a privilege to be on the same pitch as them. Steve Bruce, who was marking me, had me in his pocket!”

And it’s that experience that Gorman wants to drill into his team as they prepare for their preliminary round trip to Lashmar Road.

“It’s everybody’s dream to get to the first round,” he said. “When you get there, especially a non-league team, everyone wants to know who you are and it’ll put Erith & Belvedere on the map and it’ll show just how strong the Kent League is and how hard it is to get out of it.”

“Cup runs always bring in money. We’ve got the ground, we could have televised matches. Cray Wanderers are having ITV.com (for their game against Chichester City United on Sunday), hopefully we can have a proper game on ITV itself and get into the first round and put the Kent teams back on the map."

Visit Erith & Belvedere’s website:  www.erithandbelvederefc.co.uk

East Preston v Erith & Belvedere
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Preliminary Round
Saturday 30^th August 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Roundstone Recreation Ground, Lashmar Road, East Preston BN16 1ES