Corinthian-Casuals began the year playing in front of 30,000 people in Sao Paulo and now manager James Bracken is hoping to make history of another kind by the end of 2015.
The Isthmian League Division One South side took on two-time Club World Cup winners and namesakes Corinthians Paulista in January – losing 3-0 – 105 years after Casuals inspired the birth of the Brazilian club after a tour to South America.
Now though, their focus is on beating Redbridge in Saturday’s FA Trophy first round qualifying tie, where the winners will land £2,700 in prize money.
Corinthian-Casuals v Redbridge
FA Trophy
First round qualifying
3pm, Saturday 31 October
King George's Field
Winners receive £2,700
And boss Bracken hopes it will be the beginning of a journey that sees them have their best run in the competition, bettering their second-round knockout in 2002-03.
“When I took on the job I said I wanted to make history and to leave a little mark. If that means taking the club the furthest they have ever got in the FA Trophy then that’s a nice box to tick,” said Bracken, undertaking his first managerial role having won 29 trophies in charge of Sutton United’s reserve and development teams.
“This is an important competition for the club.
“Every penny counts for us. We are the highest-ranked amateur club in the country, no-one gets expenses here, me included.
“Clubs at this level generate money just to keep the lights on, so any prize money we can recoup goes a long way.
“This is a cup tie, so we know that anything can happen. But we are confident, because we know that we can beat anybody on our day if we play as well as we can.
“We have had some excellent results so far.”
The home dugout at Corinthians
Casuals are fourth in the league table currently, having won 10 of their opening 18 league games.
And in former Crystal Palace youngster Emmanuel Akokhia, boast a forward with 13 goals in all competitions this season.
Redbridge, by contrast, are fourth from bottom in the Isthmian League Division One North table, having shipped 64 goals in their opening 18 league matches.
Yet in Ricky Eaton and Dave Ross – Redbridge’s “husband and wife” managerial duo – they have experienced campaigners desperate to lift the gloom around Essex.
Ross is enjoying his second spell in the Oakside Stadium dugout and, after seeing his team beat Maldon & Tiptree 3-2 on Tuesday night, is confident the tide is turning and Casuals are in for a tough test.
“To get a win breeds confidence and preserving our league status is so important to us,” he said.
“Corinthian-Casuals are a very strong side, they are doing exceptionally well and we know we have a very hard task”
Dave Ross Redbridge
“But we want to progress in the FA Trophy, it’s important from a financial point of view and it would be fantastic to have a run. We’ll be picking the strongest possible team.
“Corinthian-Casuals are a very strong side, they are doing exceptionally well and we know we have a very hard task.
“But we are strong underdogs, so we have belief and if we can get a result that would be fantastic. We’re not going there just to take part.
“Redbridge are very dear to my heart. I’m heavily involved in the club, I’m a trustee, and very fond of the chairman Jim Chapman. He’s a great guy and puts his money where his mouth is.
“This is my second spell here and third season back working alongside Ricky. No-one agrees 100 per cent of the time, but the final decisions are always joint ones.
"If something goes wrong it’s down to both of us. Generally it works well. We’re like husband and wife!”
