NO chairman would ever wish a tricky trip to a lower league FA Cup underdog miles from home on his unsuspecting players. But not every chairman is Stewart Donald.
The Eastleigh owner had to pick his jaw up off the floor when his Spitfires were paired with Southern League South & West minnows North Leigh in Monday's draw.
Not just because the clubs' names are fantastically similar. It's because he sponsors them – and he can see their ground from his office!
In a strange twist of fate, Donald's Bridle insurance company have put their name on the Yellows' shirts after his years of donating to keep his local side going.
The Eastleigh chairman lives down the road in the Oxfordshire town of Witney – and he may want to catch a lift on their team bus when they travel to the Silverlake on October 15.
Donald – who doesn't hold a position at North Leigh, therefore not causing a conflict of interest – explained: “I still can't believe it but that's the FA Cup for you. It will always throw up stories but it will take a lot to beat this!
“I've helped out by putting a little money their way over the years, I love Non-League football so when they needed a new sponsor in the summer I said why not.
“Their chairman (Pete King) is in my office nearly once a week, we get on brilliantly but I may have to lock the door now.
“I just can't believe that I could have walked to the game if North Leigh came out of the hat first… and now I've got to travel 70 miles to our place and 70 miles back!
“From a footballing point of view you want to be at home to a lower-ranked club, so it's a great draw but I could have been at home watching TV by 5.30pm! Maybe it'll go to a replay – as long as we win in the end that's all that matters.”
The Spitfires were Non-League's last team standing last season and took four-time FA Cup winners Bolton Wanderers to a third round replay.
