Manchester United v Exeter City
The FA Cup Third Round
Saturday 8 January 2005



As a former player under Alex Inglethorpe I know better than most that he never goes into a match admitting defeat.

The Exeter boss was in charge of Sunday league side Horsley six years ago, and then went on to Ryman League side Leatherhead - and I was fortunate enough to learn much under his management.

So when given the opportunity to share the experience of the build-up to his biggest ever moment in football, I couldn't turn it down.

From the moment he and the rest of the Conference outfit turned up at Exeter airport at 9.30 on Friday morning it was clear he was looking forward to the occasion - but more than that, he wanted to prove they were not there merely to make up the numbers.

Players were kept away from the limelight on the day, Inglethorpe and Director of Football Steve Perryman keen to keep them focused on the game.

"We’re being professional about this," the Exeter manager told me. "After all we want to prove we’re a decent side. We worked hard to get this far but the players have to enjoy the occasion."

As the players boarded the plane there was an air of anticipation and excitement. They were on their way to Old Trafford.

An hour later as we landed in Manchester the pilot gave a good luck message - and the players were soon whisked off for a look around the ground.

Inglethorpe, a Man United fan, had never been to the stadium before. He couldn’t hide his emotions.

"It’s unbelievable," he said. "As I walked out of the tunnel I thought about the history that had been created there and of past players to have walked out on to the pitch."

He didn’t say it, but I could sense he was so desperate to book his own place in history.

A trip to Bolton to book into their hotel and a light training session followed - all the players in high spirits and unable to think about anything but the day that was ahead of them.

And as the players settled down in front of a television after their night time meal - they were given another treat.

Perryman put on a video with clips of every single player in action - followed by good luck messages from friends and family.

"We hope it will give them a big boost," said the Exeter director. "We want them to believe in themselves."

Clips of past Cup upsets including Hereford and Wrexham were shown to inspire the players further - and the team set off to their bedrooms at 10pm dreaming of the day ahead.

Saturday morning and Inglethorpe and his men sat down for an 11.30 pre-match meal.

"The tension was really building up by then," Inglethorpe said. And then the team prepared for their arrival at Old Trafford for the big occasion.

As the thousands of Exeter supporters turned up, expectancy raised - and the team certainly didn’t disappoint.

A superb performance in front of over 67,000 people saw Exeter grab one of the most unlikeliest draws in FA Cup history - and in all honesty were unlucky not to win.

But how they lapped up the best moment in the club‘s history. The players jumped up and down, the fans went crazy. Inglethorpe didn’t know what to do as he hugged every player in his side.

"I’m so proud of every one of my players," Inglethorpe added. "The concentration of my players was superb and we always believed we could do something here if we stuck to our game plan.

"Now we have to prepare for the replay - we know it will be tough."

Exeter showed fantastic spirit and undoubted talent on their big day out, and in 33-year-old Inglethorpe they have a manager who has the potential to pursue a fantastic career in management.

As he headed away from Old Trafford he hoped this would not be the last time he stepped inside the Theatre of Dreams.

And as someone who knows him only too well - I predict this won’t be the last we hear of Alex Inglethorpe.