Source: The FA
Karl Marginson’s FC United of Manchester had a 'Eureka moment' when his side beat Rochdale 3-2 in The FA Cup in 2010, securing the best result in the club's history. Now, two years on, the manager is hoping for another one.
Elaborating on the win, which set up a Second Round Proper tie with Brighton which they then drew, Marginson reveals that the headline-grabbing Cup run completely transformed the way his side play.
He said: "We had a fantastic experience a couple of years ago beating Rochdale in the First Round and took Brighton into a replay.
"Playing against Brighton, the players went out and played some fantastic football - and it really was a Eureka moment that I had as a coach. Watching them play; it was an inspiring moment."
Marginson describes the victory over Rochdale as a morale booster for not only the team but the fans as well.
He added: "That just whet the appetite of not only myself, but our supporters. They support us for that kind of thing."
Coinciding with their record run in The FA Cup, Marginson quit his job running a fruit and vegetable delivery company to manage the club full time. Describing the consequences of becoming a 24/7 manager, Marginson admitted: "It has changed my life beyond recognition.
"The things that I’m able to do now - not only the with the first team and the older players - but with my job at the Manchester college producing players and helping them with their development.
"It is a real chance to have an impact on young peoples’ lives which is really worthwhile and very fulfilling as a job.
"It’s essential to any club that they’re producing players of a good quality and we want to produce kids who play fantastic football and build careers for themselves.”
While Marginson acknowledges the importance of supporting the youth players, he reserved special praise for Mike Norton - who scored that famous winning goal in their FA cup victory against Rochdale.
He says of Norton: "He’s still the top goalscorer. That’s his final objective and that’s his job, he’s a fantastic player to work with."
FC United of Manchester v Cammell Laird
The FA Cup with Budweiser
First Round Qualifying
3pm, Sunday 9 September 2012
Gigg Lane, Bury FC
Winning clubs receive £3000 from The FA's prize fund
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