Heathcote had left by the point Altrincham pulled off their best cup exploit – knocking out first division Birmingham Metropolis at St Andrews in 1986 in what stays one of many competitors’s largest shocks. They turned solely the second of 4 non-league groups to beat top-flight opposition away from dwelling.
Forty years on from that well-known evening, present supervisor Neil Gibson is all too conscious of the custom that he now hopes to proceed in entrance of a dwell BBC TV viewers, and a bumper Moss Lane crowd.
Having joined final yr to assist the membership keep away from relegation, the Welshman has overseen a formidable begin to the present Nationwide League marketing campaign, with Altrincham trying like play-off contenders. The dream of a primary ever promotion to the EFL is the precedence. However Gibson is determined to construct on the current progress in opposition to Notts County.
“It could imply quite a bit. It is the spirit and essence of this membership,” he says. “We’ve an actual alternative. They’re an excellent group, but it surely’s a recreation the place we really feel that we will go and etch our personal recollections. All of the followers keep in mind these cup moments from the previous and we need to attempt to replicate that.”
Located only a few miles from Previous Trafford, and in an space of Better Manchester dominated by followers of United and Metropolis, Altrincham has to work onerous to take care of its supporter base. However this can be a uncommon second within the nationwide highlight for a group membership that solely turned skilled 4 years in the past.
“A variety of our gamers are ok to play at the next degree, and it is an opportunity to showcase themselves and take a look at ourselves in opposition to a membership that three years in the past had been in the identical league as us,” says Gibson, whose squad consists of 5 gamers which have beforehand appeared for Notts County.
Gibson has actual cup pedigree of his personal to attract upon, together with in opposition to Saturday’s opponents. 24 years in the past, he performed for Convention membership Southport as they produced a memorable FA Cup upset over Notts County. He was a part of the Tranmere squad that reached the League Cup last in 2000, and he additionally received the Welsh Cup 3 times, together with twice as a supervisor.
“Cups have all the time been very particular to me,” he says. “We’re actually enthusiastic about it and we’ll give it completely all the things. However you solely keep in mind nowadays should you come out on the correct facet of the end result.”
