Sparring with the big boys

By Pete Oliver

Leamington's Rodman was named as the FA Cup's "Player of the Round"

FA Cup underdogs Leamington FC head for Colchester United on Saturday ready to play their eighth game in this season's competition.

That in itself represents a remarkable run for a club that operates in the Midland Football Alliance and ranks alongside league colleagues Chasetown as the lowest placed sides left in the draw.

Yet for Leamington their quest to reach the second round of the Cup for the third time in their chequered history can be traced back fully five years.

Having closed down in 1988 following the sale of their ground and a tumble down the leagues, Leamington relaunched in August 2000 on a pitch bought as a bare field for £30,000 seven years previously.

The Brakes - a nickname deriving from their days as a works team for engineering firm Lockheed - kicked off in the Midland Football Combination Second Division.

It was a far cry from Leamington's heyday as founders of the Alliance League (now the Conference) and regular Cup campaigners of the 1970s.

We are standing on the eve of the biggest day in the club's history. Leamington boss Jason Cadden

But with a third promotion in five years secured last season, Leamington made it up to the Alliance and a level high enough to enter the Cup for the first time since losing to Worcester City in their ill-fated 1987/88 campaign.

"It's amazing that six years after starting again we are in the first-round proper of the Cup," said boss Jason Cadden, who has been in charge since the club's reincarnation - initially with Barry Proctor and then as sole manager for the past two years.

"It has taken a lot of hard work along the way and there have been some great times, but this must be the best.

"Here we are in November and we are still talking about the FA Cup. Whatever happens, this season will be one to remember."

Historic moment

As if to make up for lost time, Leamington have had full value for their heroic run, twice going to replays before winning on penalties in battling through five rounds.

"We have made the most of it and it's been an amazing adventure," Cadden told BBC Sport.

"It's been a hard run but I think we've really deserved it and to come through two penalty shoot-outs shows a lot of character.

"To think that we started back in August and now we are standing on the eve of the biggest day in the club's history.

"It's an amazing story and I can't believe that we are going to Colchester and taking a travelling army of six or seven coaches."

The reality is that the cup run has brought in more than £20,000 to help further improve the club's New Windmill Ground in Leamington Spa.

A shock victory at mid-table League One side Colchester would mean prize-money of a further £16,000.

And Leamington have all ready splashed out on club suits for their players and a new kit bearing names and squad numbers and embroidered to mark the occasion.

"We want to go there looking the part and the lads will be able to keep them and have something to remember the day," Cadden said.

Rodman wins FA Cup player award

Not that he sees this as an end of the road, even if wing-back Alex Rodman, the FA's player-of-the-round two wins ago, is the only Leamington player who knows he will be going to the Wembley final.

"We will have to turn in an immaculate performance and if we do that we have a chance," added Cadden, who has potential match-winners in Josh Blake, Ryan Howell, Leon Morgan and brothers Jon and Richard Adams.

"Colchester are six leagues above us so it's a tall order. But you never know. It's the Cup and there is always a shock.

"I said that the game against Ossett in the last round was our semi-final and the first-round proper would be our final. Now if we win that final we are in round two.

"It could be one of those days when come 10.30 on Saturday night and we are watching Match of the Day we are one of the highlights."