Ipswich Town v Bolton Wanderers
The FA Cup, Third Round
08 January 2005
Portman Road

It is ten seasons since Joe Royle proudly watched his Everton side beat Manchester United 1-0 in The FA Cup Final at Wembley with a goal from Paul Rideout.

He couldn't guess that a decade later Royle would remain the last English manager to win The FA Cup and Everton the last club outside the 'Big Four' of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United to win the trophy.

"I'm still reminded each year when The FA Cup comes around about being the last English manager.

"It makes me proud to be honest, although it also shows the way football culture has changed and that many of the top clubs have foreign coaches these days.

"It really was a dream come true to win The Cup for Everton. I remember the legendary Harry Catterick telling me as a 16-year-old I was going to make my debut, I went home to Norris Hill (a district of Liverpool) and all the neighbours came out to congratulate me.

"I reached an FA Cup Final as a player with Everton in 1968 but we lost 1-0 to West Brom. So to return to Wembley all those years later as a manager was fantastic."

Royle's Ipswich are fancied by many to pull of an FA Cup upset on Saturday against Premiership Bolton.

Ipswich are top of The Championship with England Under-21 striker Darren Bent leading the way up front.

But Royle is full of admiration for Sam Allardyce's Bolton and freely admits he sees them as a role model.

"People like to ask if Ipswich can establish themselves as a Premiership club if we can get promoted. And my answer is always 'Why not, look at Bolton'

"For a club the size of Ipswich, Bolton are a good club to emulate. They have been in the Premiership for a while now and have been able to attract world-class players like Okocha and Djorkaeff."

Ipswich have their own international star in Under-21 striker Bent (left).

"He has improved so much in the last 12 months and that's partly because he is a good listener," said Royle.

"He is naturally talented of course but has learned to get better in terms of his movement and team play. He's been watched by other clubs and that's only natural but we are pleased to have him here."

The 1995 FA Cup campaign brings back memories of Daniel Amokachi, Duncan Ferguson and Rideout.

It made Joe Royle the proudest man in England and still hungry for more success ten years on.