Tranmere Rovers v Chesterfield
The FA Cup with Budweiser
Second Round Proper
3pm, Saturday 1 December 2012
Prenton Park, Tranmere Rovers FC
Winning clubs receive £27,000 from The FA's prize fund
Click here for fixtures
By Nicholas Veevers

Mark Crossley used his relationship as tenant and team-mate to convince Luis Boa Morte to join him at Chesterfield.

The former Nottingham Forest and Fulham ‘keeper is now goalkeeping coach with the Spireites and it was a chance encounter with the Portuguese winger at their former club’s training ground which led to Boa Morte’s move to the Proact Stadium.

And now they’re hoping to help Paul Cook’s team into the Third Round Proper of The FA Cup, as they prepare to face Tranmere Rovers on Saturday.

Speaking to FATV about The Cup and the signing of Boa Morte, Crossley revealed: “When I was at Fulham, I used to rent Luis’ flat so we became friends and played together for three years.

“We had an away game at Aldershot, so we travelled down on the Friday and I saw Luis sat in the stand afterwards to watch Fulham Under-21s play Chelsea.

“So I went and had a chat and sat with him and asked him what was happening in general with his career at the moment.”

Soon after that, Boa Morte had signed with the Spireites until the end of January and Crossley says his infectious enthusiasm on the training ground has been a breath of fresh air around the club.

“He’s a top pro and a great lad,” added the former Welsh international.

“He’s been great with the kids, so it’s a credit to him that he’s come here and acted the way that he has.”

Crossley already has his own place in FA Cup history as one of only three ‘keepers to have saved a penalty in a Final, stopping Gary Lineker’s spot-kick in the 1991 clash between Forest and Tottenham Hotspur.

And now he’s hoping a run in The Cup can help Chesterfield’s League Two campaign end in success.

He said: "It's massive for the club, we could go to Old Trafford in the Third Round. To get to the Third Round would be our Cup Final and financially for the club, whoever it may be, to reap the rewards financially.

"Getting to that Third Round and possibly drawing a big club means we could stretch our budget a little bit if we are up there  in the league and pushing for promotion  which is what we're intending to do.”

Watch the full interview with Crossley and Luis Boa Morte about The FA Cup and their relationship on FATV in the Media Gallery above.