Love Island star vying for FA Cup glory

Love Island star Harry Cooksley plays for Farnham Town Football Club

A Love Island runner-up who plays for Farnham Town FC says the team's upcoming FA Cup tie is "probably the biggest game in the club's history".

Harry Cooksley, who made it to the final of this year's series with Shakira Khan, is a midfielder for the club which sits in the seventh tier of English football.

Dubbed the "Surrey Zidane" by supporters, the Guildford native believes beating Sutton United on Saturday would be a "huge achievement" for the semi-professional club.

"I've never had more fun playing football in my entire life. The club is like a big family," he said.

He told BBC Radio Surrey: "I think everything at that football club from the top down is something different from any non-league club I've ever played for.

"What Harry's [Hugo] done there has completely transformed the club."

'Unapologetically myself'

The club has enjoyed two successive promotions, with an open-top bus parade held earlier this year in recognition of its achievements.

After his stint in the Love Island villa, greater attention is something that Cooksley says he is accustomed to.

Life since has been an "amazing whirlwind", with doors opened and opportunities aplenty, he said.

Asked what made him resonate with viewers, the 30-year-old said: "I think I was just myself; I was unapologetically myself for the entire show.

"I made a lot of mistakes in there, but I think I just always owned my mistakes. I never really lied about them."

Farnham Town FC will be looking to secure a place in the FA Cup first round draw, which takes place on Monday.

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