Park Avenue’s chief executive officer Bob Blackburn insisted the disappointment of not landing a plum tie in the first round of the FA Cup had receded.

The Bradford club had dreamed of a derby with neighbours City or a home tie against another Football League outfit.

With the whole of Leagues One and Two among just 80 clubs in the famous velvet bag, Avenue were unfortunate to come out alongside fellow non-league opposition as they were drawn away to AFC Totton.

Blackburn said: “We would have liked Bradford City and I’m sure it would have ignited the interest of the public in our city.

“We would have settled for Huddersfield Town, Sheff-ield United or Wednesday or Charlton Athletic.

“But once we sat down and thought about it, we decided it was a winnable tie if we get the preparation right and we came round to the idea. It is buzzing in Bradford because these are exciting times.”

John Deacey’s men face a long journey to Hampshire to take on a club at the same step as them on the football pyramid.

Not only did they miss out on big-name opposition, Avenue know that the associated costs of making the trip south might not be covered by their share of the gate receipts.

In contrast, FC Halifax Town have a televised home tie against League One leaders Charlton Athletic – and are guaranteed a windfall of £67,500 for screening rights.

Avenue will nevertheless being going all out to win their tie and hope a potential pay-day awaits in the second round.

Blackburn said: “We are trying to make our preparation as good as anything our players have been used to.

“We will all be travelling down the day before and we have a nice hotel in Southampton booked.

“Everyone will go out for an evening meal and the players will have a little bonding session later in the evening.

“They will have a proper training session the following morning at a very good facility and then a light lunch to allow maximum recovery time so that they will be ready for the match.

“We also want to wish Halifax good luck. They were our rivals last season and for them to be playing Charlton next weekend on live television is great for them. It might not be the end of their journey either because who knows how that game will go.

“It is the FA Cup, the greatest knockout competition in the world, and we have seen bigger shocks down the years.

“I hope they do win and I hope us and City both win and get drawn together in the second round.”