There have been plenty of loud noises reverberating around Brackley in recent years and not just from the Mercedes F1 team based in the area.
Brackley Town have made a habit of a good Emirates FA Cup run in recent seasons – just ask League One outfit Gillingham who have been knocked out by the National League North side twice in the last four seasons.
So it’s no surprise that the Saints are on the march again and at the helm is Kevin Wilkin, a man who knows a thing or two about a dazzling cup run.
The 50-year-old was part of the Nuneaton Borough team who took then Premier League side Middlesbrough all the way in 2006 before inspiring Wrexham to the third round where they were just ten minutes away from beating Mark Hughes’ Stoke City.
And after helping get Brackley to the second round last season, Wilkin’s appetite has been whetted for another foray in the world’s original cup competition.
“Beating Gillingham last year was fantastic,” revealed the manager. “We went 2-0 up, just as we did in the first match, and then threw it away. But to come back and win 4-3 was remarkable and the goals we scored will live long in the memory.
“We were disappointed at Blackpool. Although we gave a good account of ourselves, we conceded an early goal but I thought we deserved a replay.
“Getting that close to the third round only gives you more motivation and hunger to get there. I’ve been there with Wrexham against Stoke City and we were ten minutes from causing a huge shock.
“Going so close to causing an upset like that only motivates you to go at it again and take your club as far as possible.”
This weekend’s opponents come in the form of Billericay who, like Mercedes, have made a fast start to their season after attracting Premier League and Champions League talent to the New Lodge.
But Wilkin isn’t listening to the sounds coming out of the Essex club and is fully focused on getting Brackley to the first round for a third year in a row.
He said: “We won’t be underestimating Billericay. They have some terrific players at the club. They’re spending good money to be able to attract those sorts of players to the club.
“They might be spending a bit of money but we need to focus on ourselves and do what we do best.”
Emirates FA Cup history
Brackley Town’s love affair with the competition only started to blossom in 2008 when they debuted in the first round against Eastwood Town.
Since then, the club has made it beyond the qualifiers on three occasions, beating League One outfit Gillingham before losing in the second round to Macclesfield Town in 2013 and Blackpool last year.
As for the Blues, they have made the first round on three occasions, losing to Wisbech Town in 1997, Stevenage Borough in 2004 and Swansea City in 2007.
Did you know?
Brackley’s only Emirates FA Cup first round victories have come against Gillingham and both following a replay after drawing the first match at the Priestfield.
The Prize
A place in the First Round awaits one of these sides, as does a cheque for a £12,500.
