Bradford Park Avenue boss John Deacey was very pleased with the FA Cup draw and is looking forward to taking his side to Doncaster Rovers next Saturday - but he was disappointed that the tie is not being televised.
Avenue have a burgeoning relationship with the npower League One outfit, and Deacey hopes the forthcoming cup clash will cement that. The clubs met in a pre-season friendly at Horsfall Stadium, so it is a return match.
Deacey said: “We were all delighted just to get a league side but for it to be Donny is the icing on the cake really.
“They came to our place for a friendly and Dean (Saunders, Rovers’ manager and former Bradford City striker) brought the full first-team squad. We had a player on loan from them, Liam Wakefield, but he went back last month.
“There are a couple of other links with Mark Hume (Deacey’s assistant) and Martin Drury being ex-Doncaster players, and Dean also enquired about taking Jordan (Deacey’s son and Avenue midfielder) on trial after he played against them in the pre-season game.
“It couldn’t have been a better draw for my family either. Jordan’s best mate James Husband plays for Rovers.
"The pair of them are very close because James has always been around at our home since they were kids. In fact he has been like another son to me so they are as close as brothers.”
This time last year Avenue were preparing for a long journey to Hampshire to take on AFC Totton, who were on the same step of the football pyramid.
Avenue had two men sent off and lost the tie heavily but did go on to win promotion to the Conference North, so even though they lost money on the tie they ended up better off than Totton.
Avenue are expected to make a healthy profit from this year’s appearance in the first-round proper but Deacey felt it could have been better.
The Avenue manager added: “They are doing well in League Two and were a Championship side last season, so it should be a great game.
"I’m pleased for our players to be on a stage like this, especially after last year. They deserve a big game against Football League opposition after reaching this round for a second time on the trot.
“Donny get good crowds at home - I expect there will be 3-3,500 home fans, plus however many we take. That should keep our directors happy - it might be time to go and talk to them about raising the playing budget!
“I thought it might have been a good one to get on TV but it looks like we’ve missed out on that.”
There is a prize of £18,000 for the winners of the first-round ties but that is dwarfed by a huge £63,800 broadcast fee – per club – for the televised ties.
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