Thackley were involved in the last West Riding County Cup final to be held at Valley Parade, when they faced a stern test from Eugene Lacy’s Farsley Celtic.

That was 13 years ago, and the Celts ran out comfortable 2-0 winners.

On Wednesday, the Dennyboys are looking at an even higher mountain to climb as they take on current manager Dave Morgan’s old club Guiseley.

The Lions are pushing for promotion to the Blue Square Bet Premier, the highest level on the non-league pyramid. Thackley are holding their own in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division.

Morgan said: “We know it is a massive game for our club but nowhere near as big for Guiseley and that they are huge favourites. It’s a bit of a sideline to them but a day out for us and the chance to play at a big Football League ground.”

The Dennyboys boss, a lifelong Bantams fan who played for Guiseley at Wembley in two consecutive FA Vase finals in the 80s, admits he will relish every minute of crossing swords with his old club from one of the dug-outs at Valley Parade.

“It’s boy's own stuff, it really is,” he said. “Some of the people on the board, the volunteers and a few of the staff are still there from my time but the manager and the players won’t have a clue who I am.

“Guiseley have a very strong team now and their management have done a great job. They have put themselves right back in the play-off picture, so it depends how seriously they take this game. But whatever strength side they put out it will test us because their squad players are too good for our level.

“But you never give up do you, so if our lads play to their full potential and theirs have a little bit of an off day it can happen. We will give it our best shot.”

Guiseley director Stuart Allen said: “It will be a side made up of the first-team squad that has been on duty all season. The starting places may be switched around but it will be full strength.

“We have done well recently in the league and promotion is our number one priority but Steve’s (manager Kittrick) philosophy is that winning breed’s confidence and when you are this close to a trophy you do not take it lightly.”