Carl Heeley: Worcester City boss wants players to have no regrets
- Published
Carl Heeley's side are currently 11th in the Conference North, with 21 points from 15 games.
Worcester City manager Carl Heeley says his side must have "no regrets" after facing former FA Cup winners Coventry City in the first round on Sunday.
The Conference North side last played at this stage of the competition in 2005 and around 2,000 of their fans are expected to travel to the Ricoh Arena.
"It's about our day and it's about what we can do," Heeley told BBC Hereford & Worcester. "We want to cause a shock.
"They've got to give everything they've got and not regret it afterwards."
Worcester City commentator Dan Johnson, BBC Hereford & Worcester: |
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"You have to go back nine years for City's last memorable FA Cup run and a televised second-round home tie against Huddersfield Town. "That day that will live with me forever, standing in the midst of a heaving terrace behind the goal with my son as Match of the Day trio Ray Stubbs, Mark Bright and Dion Dublin pushed their way through the throng in front of us to reach the rather hastily assembled TV studio. "City captain Chris Smith couldn't quite connect with a cross early on, before the Terriers snatched a goal and held out for a 1-0 win. "As we left, we heard that Huddersfield had been drawn away at Chelsea in the next round and we were left to simply reflect on what might have been." |
"I'm quietly confident they'll thrive on the day," added former City centre-half Heeley, who made over 500 appearances for the club.
"It'll be a great day out for the people of Worcester. It's been mayhem in Worcester, with the ticket sales and everything else.
"When it's in the FA Cup, you have a chance. We're just dreaming that the next club to write their name into the history books will be Worcester City."
The non-league side are currently on a five-match unbeaten run, including a 2-1 win over Greenwich Borough in the fourth qualifying round.
Worcester's Cup connections with Coventry |
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Coventry City's record defeat was an 11-2 hammering against Worcester-based pub side Berwick Rangers in an FA Cup second qualifying round tie in November 1901. The following season, Berwick Rangers, who took their name from a local hostelry, became Worcester City. |
Worcester City also played at Coventry in the third round in January 1983 when, after taking the lead with a Paul Moss penalty, the then Alliance Premier League side eventually lost 3-1 to the Sky Blues at Highfield Road. |
In that tie, a deflected strike from Ellis Deeney, brother of Watford striker Troy, opening the scoring for City.
"We couldn't really ask for a better draw, especially away," said the 23-year-old midfielder.
"Of course, scoring a screamer is something that you dream of. We're keeping it light-hearted, just to try and enjoy the experience.
"We haven't got any pressure on us whatsoever. We're going there with a plan and we'll just see what happens."
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