Sam Ricketts knows all about the rewards that can come from a good FA Cup run.
The Wrexham boss was at Telford United when they reached the fourth round by beating Crewe Alexandra in 2004, then in the Championship.
He takes his high-flying Red Dragons side to Weston-super-Mare on Sunday adamant they will take their lower-ranked opponents seriously.
But he would love nothing more than some more cup memories like at the start of his career. It acted as a platform to move into the League and eventually play in the Premier League.
“We got through to the fourth round proper and got beat by Millwall, who went on to play Man United in the final,” the former Wolves, Bolton and Hull defender told The NLP.
“On that run we beat Brentford, we beat Crewe – who were in the Championship at the time. We won 1-0 there and as a Non-League side it was a great upset. It probably gave me belief I could have a career in football against these sides and do well.
“You remember those good times. It's something you treasure. There's no better cup competition in the world.”
