'These games can define you' - Telford boss Wilkin

Kevin Wilkin has taken Telford into the main draw of the FA Cup for the first time in eight years

AFC Telford United boss Kevin Wilkin says his squad have a chance to define themselves "both as individuals and a group" in the FA Cup this weekend.

The National League North side have reached the first round for the first time in eight years, and visit National league strugglers Sutton United.

Wilkin told BBC Radio Shropshire: "Its going to be tough, but its coming through games like this and situations like this that end up defining you as both individuals and a group.

"We're really looking forward to it, and really excited by what lies ahead."

The Bucks head to Gander Green Lane on a three-game unbeaten run, scoring seven goals in the process, which Wilkin knows should help confidence.

"The lads have been confident for the best part of the season, really, and its nice when you get the results to back up the performances," he said.

"You can't have any regrets, and you can't have any excuses. You have to be robust enough to deal with whatever is thrown at you on the day. That's exactly what you have to do to have a run in this competition.

"We want to stay in it as long as we can - I'm sure Sutton will look at it the same."

'The club needs more of these days'

Bucks fans got to celebrate promotion back to National League North at the end of last season, but it has been eight years since they got beyond the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup.

"The club needs more of these days, and these moments to look forward to," said Wilkin. "It's what we're all in it for.

"Supporters, directors, managers, players - you want to be involved in big games, and the more you can bring, the more it helps to grow the club.

"It is the most lucrative competition that we play in. The finance that goes with it, the coverage it attracts, those sort of David and Goliath moments, the money is very welcome to us, and if it helps make everybody's job at the club a little easier then it has to be a positive."

Wilkin is keen to make the weekend another special one for the fans.

"It's important that we as a group understand giving them a good day, and something to feel proud of and engage with," he added.

"Hopefully again that is a situation that is growing, and will continue to grow."

Sutton have won just one of their 16 league matches, and currently sit bottom of the National League.

That poor started prompted head coach Steve Morison to leave by mutual consent last month, with Chris Agutter leaving Worthing to take over.

However, Wilkin is wary of taking the higher division side lightly.

"They've obviously had a managerial change but they're deep as a squad," he said. "They've got really strong numbers, and were only recently a Football League club.

"We're under no illusion about the task that lies ahead. They've struggled to find that little bit of consistency that we're all searching for, and that isn't for the lack of good players.

"I watched them beat Farnham in the last round, and that ability to keep going and come up with moments in both games, you have to take your hat off."

'The FA Cup still has that incredible allure'

Telford have already won through three rounds to reach the main draw, earning over £18,000 in prize money in the process. Football finance expert Kieran Maguire says the competition can be crucial to smaller clubs.

"Clubs in National League North are all losing money, so every few thousand pounds does make a difference," he said. "If they [Telford] win this weekend, it's the best part of £50,000.

"If they beat Sutton – which I appreciate is a tough game – you've got the opportunity to get a decent draw in the second round, and everyone then starts to get very excited.

"Even if you lose in the second round, you're getting another £20,000, plus two sets of gate receipts, so it can overall make over £100,000 worth of difference.

"And you've got to remember from the fans' point of view, the FA Cup still has that incredible allure, that incredible excitement that brings out the tin foil cups and everything that goes with it."

Bucks boss Wilkin insists he will not be changing their preparations too much for the tie.

"My big belief is you need to try to almost treat every game the same," he said.

"Yes, some things around the periphery will change, but it's important that you keep your focus, and those are the different challenges that can define certain players.

"The sign of a good player is being able to adapt and bring that high level of concentration to every game that he plays."