Tony Milstead uses memories of '88 to inspire Cup run.
AFC Wimbledon v London Corinthians
The FA Women's Cup
Second Round Qualifying
2pm, Sunday 23 October 2011
Click here for fixtures
AFC Wimbledon Ladies manager Tony Milstead will call upon the spirit of 1988 as he attempts to steer his side to a giant-killing of their own in this season’s FA Women’s Cup.
The former Wimbledon captured the imagination by producing one of the most memorable upsets in English football history when
they beat the mighty Liverpool in the men’s FA Cup Final at Wembley in 1988.
The newly-formed AFC Wimbledon are yet to scale those heights since their formation in 2002 but a remarkable first chapter in the club’s history has ended with a place in the Football League.
Meanwhile, AFC Wimbledon Ladies have been in a transitional phase under manager Milstead, who arrived back in January.
But the London South East Premier side are hoping that a run in The FA Women’s Cup this season might give them an opportunity to pit their wits against one of Ladies’ football elite sides – much like Wimbledon did on that sweltering day at Wembley almost 24 years ago.
After beating East Preston 3-1 in the First Round Qualifying earlier this month, Milstead’s side face London Corinthians on Sunday in their next FA Women’s Cup test - and the manager cannot wait.
Milstead said: “At the club, we've got a trophy cabinet which has got pictures of that 1988 side including Vinnie Jones and all of them. I think Vinnie's medal might even be there too.
“The players look at that every time they go through into the dressing room so without a doubt it gives us the opportunity to try and emulate that.
“The FA Cup is important to this club as a hole and the Women’s Cup gives the Ladies side a chance to get involved in that.
“If we can build a run in The FA Cup it will give us the chance to face one of the big Premier League clubs. We've got a very big following and we're a good side and facing one of the big sides would give us the chance to showcase all of that.”
