If ever there was a midfielder with a habit of scoring vital goals, then Ray Houghton was that man.

The Glasgow-born Irish international racked up 68 goals over a 21-year career, including the dipping finish that saw the Republic of Ireland’s first ever win in the World Cup finals and a goal in the 1988 European Championships, which all England fans will want to banish from memory.

He said, "Non-league and grassroots football is the foundation upon which football is built and The FA Trophy is their version of The FA Cup.

‘It gives the lower league clubs a chance to get to play and enjoy the atmosphere of a major cup final."

It was at Liverpool where Houghton made his name in a five-year spell marauding forward at every opportunity from right midfield with his seemingly endless energy earning him plenty of fans in the Kop.

He picked up two championship medals before moving onto Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Reading, and saw out the end of his playing career at non-league Stevenage Borough.

"The biggest bit of advice I could give both Hucknall and Grays is to try and not doing anything different to what they normally do and try not to panic.

"The main thing is to go out there and give it your all and enjoy the occasion as much as they can.

"Villa Park is a great stadium to play at, I’m sure there is going to be a fantastic atmosphere on the day."

The FA Trophy is the non-league’s most prestigious cup competition and, at this level of the game ranks alongside The FA Cup.

Thousands of supporters of Hucknall and Grays are expected to converge on Villa Park where the final will be staged for the fifth consecutive season on Sunday, May 22, kick-off 12.30pm, and will be shown live on Sky TV.

As The FA’s Chief Guest, Ray will be introduced to an official line-up of the teams before kick-off and will present the winners’ medals and, of course The FA Trophy after the final whistle.

A Carlsberg Man of the Match Award will also be presented. Carlsberg’s Chief Guest will be Mike Mainwaring, Sponsorship Manager – Carlsberg.

Tickets for the final are priced £20 and £15 for adults and £7 for concessions.

Tickets prices for wheelchair users are £10 with admission for their helpers free.

Tickets for Hucknall Town supporters are available directly from the club on 0115 963 0206, Andy Donaldson on 07814 899437 or Philip Elliot on 07802 266268.

Tickets for Grays Athletic fans are available from the club on 01375 377753 or from Club Secretary Phil O’Reilly on 07980 643832.

Grays Athletic fans will be seated in the Doug Ellis stand -lower tier, whilst the Hucknall Town fans will be in the Trinity Road Stand – lower tier.

The winners of this season’s FA Trophy will receive £50,000 in prize money.

This is the third season Carlsberg has been The FA’s presenting partner for The FA Trophy and forms an integral part of their support of football in this country.

Carlsberg is also The FA’s presenting partner for The FA Vase and The FA Sunday Cup, highlighting its commitment to non-league and grassroots football.