It’s the first time in history that we’ve got to this round and that’s like pinning a medal on your chest. It’s a proud moment for all of us in the club, says Cray Wanderers boss Tim O'Shea

CRAY WANDERERS manager Tim O’Shea says everybody at the club is feeling excited ahead of their historic FA Cup First Round tie against Stockport County on Sunday afternoon.

The Magical Wands have never played at this stage of the competition in their 166-year history and are looking to pull off their biggest scalp of all time against Jimmy McNulty’s League One highflyers at a sold-out Flamingo Park.

Cray Wanderers – who first entered The FA Cup back in 1960, losing 5-4 at home to local rivals Dartford – have done it the hard way to get this far.

They have needed three replays to reach the Holy Grail of the First Round, having beaten Lewes (1-0 at home in a replay after a 2-2 draw at their League rivals).  National League South leaders Maidstone United were then knocked out (2-0, after a 1-1 home draw) and Chippenham Town were beaten here by three goals to nil.

O’Shea then took his side to National League North side Bedford Town and were the better side during a goal-less draw that will be best remembered by the referee disallowing a perfect goal from striker Ade Yusuff.

That gave us THAT EPIC home replay against Harry Smart’s side, a thrilling 2-2 draw after extra time, that led to 17-year-old substitute striker, Jakob Lowe converting THAT penalty to seal the victory, 4-3 on penalties, which will go down as Cray Wanderers Greatest Ever Match.

Stockport County arrive sitting in second-place in the third-tier with 26 points (eight wins, two draws and four defeats) and three points behind leaders Huddersfield Town.

Part-timers Cray Wanderers, meanwhile, sit in 18^th place (bottom five) in the seventh-tier Isthmian League Premier Division – the sole survivors of the four Isthmian League divisions - having picked up 15 points (four wins, three draws and three defeats) but with several games in hand on all of their 21 league rivals.

“They are fairly excited, hair-cuts are booked in for Saturday morning before they come here and we do our final prep,” revealed O’Shea, before Thursday night’s training session under the lights.

“They’ve been keeping a focus because last Saturday we were playing an important league game (winning 4-1 at Brentwood Town), so we’ve been trying to keep them focused on the league games but we’ve let them loose this week and said ‘look, you’ve got to enjoy it, you’ve got to embrace it and enjoy every moment. It doesn’t come around too often but when it does, just enjoy the whole occasion.’

“If there’s anyone there who wants to talk to you, talk to them. Just promote it and just have a wonderful day.”

Stockport, who beat AFC Wimbledon 2-1 at the near 11,000 capacity Edgeley Park last Saturday, have lost just two of their last 10 games and O’Shea knows his side will each have to perform to their maximums to pull off the biggest shock – with 111 sides between the two clubs.

“I’m expecting everything that every manager in Division One has been telling me – they are the best side in their league by a country mile is some of the feedback,” revealed O’Shea, ahead of his club’s biggest game.

“This week, we’ve been looking at them. We’ve had League games but we have had a look this week and part of me thinks I wish I never had watched any one of them because I couldn’t sleep at night for the last two or three days because they’re a good side.

“Jimmy (McNaulty) has done a great job and it’s going to take one mighty effort on Sunday to get something out of the game but it’s something that we’re planning on. 

“At the end of the day, we just want to give a good account of ourselves, representing the Isthmian Prem with pride and as I say, who knows.  There’s always a Cup shock ain’t there – but why can’t it be down here on Sunday?!

“What does it mean to me personally? Listen, it’s everybody’s boys dream isn’t it? Whether you play in it, whether you’re lucky enough to play for a pro club or whether you’re playing non-league, it’s a proud moment for me.  I know it is and I speak for the other guys, the coaching staff as well.

“The fact it’s the Oldest Club in London. It’s the oldest Competition. We were around before the competition started. It’s the first time in history that we’ve got to this round and that’s like pinning a medal on your chest. It’s a proud moment for all of us in the club.”

The game is being televised around the world for the simple fact that the television companies are looking for a FA Cup First Round giant-killing act.

A 3G pitch, a biting wind coming off the adjacent A20 and Stockport County’s dressing room, windowless, compact and with the badge of tenants and league rivals AFC Whyteleafe on the dressing room floor, has all the makings of a special occasion, a giant-killing.

A compact sold-out crowd of 2,500 (500 away fans) and part-time Isthmian League Premier Division players capable of causing another upset and playing for the badge, their local community and families.  This is what The FA Cup is all about.

“We want to attack, attack, attack! No, get a few of those redundant busses out there (in the car park), just outside our box, I think,” said O’Shea.

“Listen, we’ve got to respect them as an opposition and where they’re at, there’s no two ways about it but it’s an unusual one.

“We’ve going to be training tonight (Thursday). It’s unusual going into a prep where we are going to be doing quite a bit of defensive shape whereas this year in our league we are trying to play continually on the front foot but as I say, you’ve got to give them upmost respect.

“But we want to carry a threat. We want to carry something. We want to give the supporters’ something to be excited about and not let the whole occasion put fear into our own players because there’s some decent players out there in a Cray shirt who are quite comfortable of getting people off their seats, even for moments during the game on Sunday. If we can just do that, just to keep the buzz around the ground, that’s what it will be all about.”

The Football Association controversially decided to scrap replays from the First Round onwards in 2024, so there could be more extra time and penalty drama.

Cray Wanderers do have a 100 per cent record in four penalty shoot-outs in The FA Cup qualifying rounds over the years...

“There is plusses and minuses.  Listen, if we can get a draw in normal text on Sunday and then look forward to a trip to Stockport, how good would that be for the lads and the supporters and everybody involved in the club.  The fact that it ends, if we get them on a bad day and we can get them to penalties, which is a big ask.  It’s got to finish hasn’t it then it’s a lottery, isn’t it?

“No stone’s unturned with us, not at all. It’s literally who fancies it.”

O’Shea revealed that Lowe will not be available on Saturday after scoring THAT decisive penalty against Bedford Town.

“Unfortunately, he’s not going to be with us Sunday. He’s got injured with his club Leyton Orient.  He’s 17 and got a great future.

“Cheshunt, away, was the Trophy game, he took the fifth penalty. He wanted to take the fifth and he done the same against Bedford and got us through.

“Listen, you don’t even know at that particular time who’s going to be on the pitch so really it’s the ones come the end of the game and who’s in a decent frame of mind to go and take them.

“It’s pretty much the one that fancies it.  All we ask of them is make sure the goalkeeper at least makes the save without missing the target, which is a bit of a hard one to take but if the goalkeeper saves it, sometimes you’ve got to hold your hands up and say fair play, go up and hit the target.”

Oliver Whatmuff, 18, played in goal for Stockport County last weekend – a loanee from Premier League champions Manchester City – but O’Shea has every faith in his own goalkeeper, Cambridge United loanee Jasper Briggs, 19, to pull off more heroics.

“He’s doing well, he’s come in. He’s looked seamless. He’s got a bight future. I think Cambridge have got a good one there, definitely,” said O’Shea.

“It will be nice to sit there with a glass of wine watching Match of The Day and then you’re actually in their highlights, albeit brief, you’re probably on for about four or five seconds, depending how many they put past us. It might be on longer but it’s nice to sit there and watch it – Cray Wanderers v Stockport County.”

Naturally, O’Shea kept his team selection close to his chest but paid tribute to Ally Maloney for keeping his small squad in peak condition ahead of the club’s biggest game in their entire history.

“Ally does a magnificent job behind the scenes. She’s so important to us. How she’s kept so many players out there with the schedule is testament how good she is at her job.

“You want (the players) them to react positively. You don’t want them just be a shrinking violet. You want them to stand there and be six foot tall with them (our fans).

“There’s going to be 2,000 Cray supporters there on Sunday. It should be a real good atmosphere to play in.

“Take this week for an example. Jimmy would’ve had four days with his boys – if he’s working on how he does break down Cray Wanderers.  We’ve got four hours and those boys have been working, come here and fighting with traffic and we’ve probably got at best, when I say tactically, you’ve probably got the best part of 45 minutes on Tuesday and 45 minutes tonight (Thursday) to prepare.

“You’d be surprised how many people with a slight injury might find themselves being ok for a game like Sunday.  Ally always has half-a-dozen in her (treatment) room on an evening.

“There’s a slight concern about one of the players but I’m hoping the fact that we’ve got another 24 hours – he took a slight knock on Tuesday – but it gives us a bit more time to try to get him ready and out there for Sunday.”

O’Shea admitted his side will have to adapt to the multi-ball system in place for the game and must take advantage of home comforts – their 3G pitch.

“I’m (not) sure if that gives you that much of an advantage to take on top-of-the-league, League One side but without a doubt some players might come here and not like it, which I hope a few of them do but the good thing is we train on it, we’re used to it but listen the good thing is, it’s one of the best out there. They’ve put a fantastic surface for us to play on.

“I think on the odd occasion Stockport might have to play on it, I don’t think it will be too much of a task for someone like them. They like to move the ball around really well, so it’s not too much of a disadvantage for a side like Stockport.”

When asked whether he has selected his starting 11 and what he will say to his players just before referee Lewis Sandoe rings his bell ahead of kick-off, O’Shea replied, “We’re still chatting on a side, because these guys' (Mark Stimson, Roy Brooke and Alfie George) opinions are massive. It depends on what opposition. We’ve got an idea but between now and then there’s a lot of coughs and splutters going around. You never know.  Probably on Sunday morning we’ll know exactly what the starting 11 is.

“But listen, the ones who might not get picked they’re going to be disappointed, no doubt – but what has been pleasing this season is that they’ve taken it well and when called upon, they’ve come on and changed games, so that’s the beauty of this bunch.

“They’ve brought into the fact it’s not just an 11 that goes and wins a game of football – it’s the lot of them.

“They call them game-changers now don’t they?  It never used to be. You’d thought you were sitting there and you’re getting cold (on the bench) and you ain’t going to come on until someone gets injured - not anymore. They’re game changers aren’t they?

“On Sunday it will be a slightly different chat to them, I’m sure. Most games it’s ‘go out there. Listen. We only ask the best of you. Go out there and be proud. Wear the shirt, go and give us your all. Respect the fact that you’ve got people on the bench who want your spot’, that sort of thing.

“I think on Sunday we’re all just going to get into them and go, embrace it, just enjoy it, don’t fear it – don’t fear them either and that’s in a respectful way. Don’t fear Stockport, don’t fear the occasion and do your utmost.

“They can’t wait to get in front of the cameras. It’s a great day for them, for their friends, partners and that sort of thing – they’re excited.”

Visit Cray Wanderers website: www.cray-wanderers.com

Cray Wanderers  v  Stockport County
The Emirates FA Cup First Round
Sunday 8 November 2026
Kick Off 2:15pm
at Flamingo Park, Sidcup by-pass, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 6HL