VAUXHALL Motors go into Saturday's FA Trophy game against Kidderminster Harriers knowing they are 100-1 to win the competition.
But manager Carl Macauley has beaten bigger odds than that before. He, along with Motormen John Lawless and Gary Martindale, lifted the FA Trophy with 400-1 outsiders Burscough at Villa Park in 2003.
And Macauley says the competition means everything to him.
'At a club level this is as big for the non-league as the FA Cup,' he said. 'This is the biggest cup we compete for.
'But for me personally it means everything. I lifted this cup as captain in front of more than 14,000 fans.'
Lawless set up man-of-the-match Martindale's two strikes on that day in the Midlands.
He first slid a pass through for the striker to place in for the first before unleashing a 20-yard drive which the keeper spilled, giving Martindale his second as he swept up.
'We all have great memories of the trophy,' said Macauley. 'But now we have to pass that knowledge and experience on.'
The Motormen travel to Kidderminster's Aggborough Stadium on Saturday knowing that to win would be a major upset.
'We cannot look at winning the cup,' said Macauley. 'We have to take it one game at a time and Kidderminster are a big team.
'As well as having recently been a Football League side we have had them watched and seen a couple of videos and they are a strong physical side who will be difficult to play against.' The side features former Republic of Ireland and Blackburn full-back Jeff Kenna as well as former QPR and Leicester striker Dean Sturridge and veteran Bob Taylor, who has 179 career goals to his name at clubs including West Bromwich Albion and Bolton Wanderers.
'The younger lads are really looking forward to the game,' said Macauley. 'Those of us with experience will see them through to make sure they know that they can beat Kidderminster as long as they concentrate and give their all.
'The fans, board and everyone connected with the club are looking forward to this because progress could mean money for the club but also because it is a chance to test ourselves against a large successful club.'
