Coalville is the only team left in the competition from the Extra Preliminary Round, having progressed through six rounds so far. Only one other club has achieved this in the history of the competition – Brigg Town in the 2001/2002 season. Coalville's run of success resulted in The FA Cup trophy coming to town – a once in a lifetime opportunity for some players and fans.

Manager Lee Harriman said: "The day was fantastic. We were all a bit star struck at being interviewed and photographed, which was exciting but daunting.

"The club has achieved so much in The FA Cup already but we are hoping for more at Wycombe on Saturday. It should be a great day out for the players and the 1000 fans who are planning to go. Their support has been fantastic, so we will do our best to get the right result."

The club is now looking forward to its big game against Wycombe Wanderers. Glyn Rennocks, Chairman of the Leicestershire outfit, commented: "Having The Cup here at the club was tremendous.

"It has given us a great taste of what the competition is all about. We are really looking forward to Saturday’s match now and are planning to go to Wycombe and give everything. We have nothing to lose, so we are going to enjoy every minute."

The FA Cup took pride of place at Owen Street in the run up to Coalville Town’s eagerly anticipated trip to Wycombe Wanderers at The Causeway on Saturday, November 13. Before arriving at the club, The FA Cup was taken to a local school for a special assembly and talk about the history of The FA Cup competition.

Schoolchildren were given a talk about the history of Coalville Town and The FA Cup competition by Harriman and Leicestershire FA’s John Ball when The Cup visited Newbridge High School in the afternoon. The Cup then returned to Owen Street for an evening with Coalville Town’s players, supporters and their families.

In the club’s first ever season in The FA Cup, Coalville Town have already won £22,500 in prize money and with a further £12,500 up for grabs in the First Round Proper, the bank balance could look even perkier should the Ravens shock Wycombe.

"It’s the first time we’ve ever entered, and in our heart of hearts I suppose we didn’t expect to get further than a couple of rounds, so this is just unbelievable," added Rennocks.

"It’s like all our Christmasses have come at once. It’s a fabulous achievement for everyone at the club – the players, the manager, and especially for a lot of people behind the scenes."

Now the chairman says the Midland Alliance club – which has ambitions to rise into the Unibond League – will use its cash windfall prudently to improve its Owen Street stadium facilities.

"Most clubs at our level live a fairly hand-to-mouth existence and we’re no different," said Rennocks. "We do try to improve our ground each season, and the difference this year is that we’ll have a bit more cash to move things on a bit more quickly. We’re looking at things like better refreshment facilities and additional toilet blocks. The money makes life a bit easier."

Coalville only became eligible to enter The FA Cup when they were promoted from the Leicestershire Senior League two seasons ago. This is the first time they have taken part, and they have already played eight games.

Their run shows that the romance of The FA Cup is alive and well, and as a Leicester City follower Mr Rennocks needs little reminding of Wycombe’s own glorious run to a semi-final showdown against Liverpool in 2001.

"I was at Filbert Street when they beat Leicester in the quarter-finals, and I never dreamed when I watched them that my own team would be playing them in the competition a few years later," he said.

"We’re just going to go there and enjoy the day. We’re excited, and we’re looking forward to it. We’re on a hiding to nothing. We expect to be beaten – and that’s not me being pessimistic, it’s being realistic – but in The FA Cup you just never know!"