Dreaming of another glamour cup-tie

A REPEAT of last season's Liverpool experience is Athletic’s aim in the FA Cup.

The third-round tie at Anfield was lost 5-1, but it featured a brilliant Robbie Simpson goal and made a significant impact on the club's finances.

This time the first hurdle is to overcome Kidderminster Harriers of the Blue Square Bet Premier.

"They will be looking for a shock, but the FA Cup is massive for us," said manager Paul Dickov.

"We want to get through the first and second round — and we all know what can happen after that. But first of all, we have a tough game.”

The Aggborough game is on November 3 and won’t be televised. Should Athletic get through, the prize money for reaching round two is £18,000.



LAST week's BBC Sport Price of Football survey revealed that the pies at Kidderminster are the priciest in British football.

But Athletic fans who feel £4 is too steep should bear in mind the home-made cottage pies — which weigh 700g — have built up a seriously-good reputation.

“When Nigel Clough was manager of Burton Albion the first thing he did when they came to Aggborough was order 20 for the players after the game,” said Harriers catering manager Brian Murdoch.