Northwich boss Andy Preece ready for Robins.
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Northwich Victoria v Charlton Athletic
The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
First Round Proper
1.30pm, Sunday 7 December 2009
The Victoria Stadium, Northwich Victoria FC
Winning clubs receive £18,000
Click here for fixtures Andy Preece has hailed an "amazing turnaround" in Northwich Victoria's fortunes ahead of their huge clash with Charlton in The FA Cup First Round Proper this weekend.
Northwich have struggled on and off the pitch in recent times, with financial turmoil resulting in relegation from the Conference last season and a ten-point deduction at the start of the current campaign.
But high-profile Charlton stars such as Christian Dailly, Deon Burton and Jonjo Shelvey will run out at Victoria Stadium on Sunday wary of slipping up against their Conference North opponents in a competition famed for shock results.
The game takes on even greater significance for the hosts as it will be broadcast live on national television, and manager Preece his backing his players to respond to what could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"It's an enormous weekend that puts us on a national stage and in everyone's homes," he said. "It's great for the club, the town and the players.
"We couldn't have dreamed of this with the problems the club has had recently. We were in such big trouble and now we are going to be playing a massive club live on television.
"It's an amazing turnaround and we know we have a chance because there are always shocks in The FA Cup so there is no reason why it can't be our turn."
Phil Parkinson's side currently sit second in League One and will be strong favourites, but Preece knows all about FA Cup upsets having scored a superb winning goal for Stockport County in their 2-1 defeat of Queen's Park Rangers back in 1994.
"I'm going to draw on that experience when I talk to my players," he explained. "It was fantastic to beat a Premier League club in the Third Round and I was playing against some great players like Ray Wilkins and Les Ferdinand.
"So I know how the boys will be feeling when they run out there on Sunday and my job is to channel those nerves and that energy, to calm them down and get them believing in themselves."
And his side's impressive run of ten games unbeaten, eight of which have been victories, means his players certainly don't lack confidence at the moment.
"If we hadn't been docked points we would be right up there in the league," Preece said. "We are flying and we have been very strong mentally.
"Home advantage is important and Charlton won't like coming to our place because the atmosphere and conditions could get to them. It's going to be buzzing and we can't wait."
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