The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
Third Round Proper
Blackpool v Aldershot
Saturday 6 January 2007
Winning clubs will receive £40,000
Each club will receive £150,000 from The FA
Third Round Proper Draw - Click Here





Darren Barnard knows the agony and ecstasy of The FA Cup from when he first played for Chelsea 11 years ago.

As a youngster the former Welsh international was given a baptism of fire when asked to mark former European Footballer of the year Chris Waddle, in the fourth round reply.

He said, "Nobody could touch Chris back then. I saw him on the team sheet and knew he would twist me around the ground a few times!

"Somehow we were able to win through 3-1 in extra time. People tend to have a romantic image of the FA Cup but all I really remember was trying an overhead kick in extra time, and getting cramp in both legs!"

The defender's FA Cup dream was to get better, when he found himself forced into the action against Luton Town in the semi final at Wembley in 1995.

He recalled: "I didn't even expect to make the bench for the Luton game, Craig Burley started but had a bit of a groin problem, I think he came off after about 15-20 minutes.

"It was an amazing feeling stepping out at Wembley, it was the first time I had ever played in front of 75,000 people and obviously we got the chance to go back there and play again in the final."

He sees similarities between Aldershot's tie against Blackpool with one of his other great FA cup memories, Barnsley's rollercoaster clash against defending champions Manchester United in 1997-98.

"I played as a wing back in the replay against Gary Neville and David Beckham so to win 3-2 was special," he added. "I think we will have the same approach as we did in that game, we don't have anything to fear.

"We were a little disappointed at not getting a big gun, but we have a real chance of going through, and in the last 32 anything can happen.

"I think that's one of the reasons I always look forward to the tournament even at my stage of my career its still special."