Shawbury United manager Delwyn Humphreys admits that his club’s next FA Vase opponents, Concord Rangers, are largely a mystery to him – and he intends to keep it that way.
Humphreys, who has found his way to Wembley three times as a free-scoring striker with Kidderminster and Northwich, feels his side are at their best steering their own course.
“I don’t really see the sense in worrying about how to alter our style of play much to accommodate the threats another team might present,” he said.
“Yes, I’ll probably check up on their strengths through calling friends in football but I will not be going to watch them. Our best course is to concentrate on our own strengths, not worry about them.
“Saturday’s performance against Cogenhoe United showed that we need fear no-one at this stage in the competition.”
Humphreys says he would dearly love his players, who would enter the last 16 in the draw by winning at Concord, to experience the thrill of walking out onto the Wembley pitch in the Vase final.
“I was at Wembley three times as a player myself and believe me, it really is the stuff of dreams,” he said. “Unfortunately, I lost on every occasion – but I still treasure that experience.
“It’s obviously different looking forward as a manager but I would love the lads to go through the same thing – but win!”
The trip south to face fifth placed Essex Senior League outfit Concord on January 19 could add another much needed £1,500 to the north Shropshire side’s bank balance.
“This run could not have come at a better time for we are a bit tight financially,” said Humphreys.
“It costs a lot to keep a small club going at this level and all the cash we get in this run will go towards keeping the club afloat.
“Ideally, for instance, we would like to take the team down the night before – after all, it’s a really big game for the players and they’ll be facing a long trip on the Saturday morning.
“If there’s anyone out there who could see their way to sponsoring an overnight stay, we would be delighted to hear from them.”