Lordswood FC vice-chairman Gary Peck is hugely excited for "the biggest day in the club's history" when they take on Sittingbourne in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round in front of the BBC cameras on Saturday.
The Step 9 Kent-based club have taken huge strides off the field since Peck and chairman Raymond Broad took charge in 2023, transforming the Lords' infrastructure and beginning to reverse their fortunes on the pitch.
A televised cup tie is viewed by Peck as reward for the enormous effort made by the club's staff in the last year.
He said: "Me and Ray both own our businesses and I think in terms of time some people think we work full-time for Lordswood!
"For the last decade the club has struggled. We were close to relegation every year and the club urgently needed some investment in order for the stadium to be given a new lease of life.
"We've come in and worked with the committee, who love the club so much, and worked to turn things around. We've done repairs to the ground, we've got the local community involved in sponsorship and then we've also focused on the team.
"We might not be able to offer huge finances but we want to offer youth players a pathway to bigger and better things. We picked up some really good kids last year and then they either move on to bigger clubs, which is great, or keep playing for us.
"We also want to produce our own young players and we now have a pathway all the way from young kids up into the first team. It's really good to head down on a Sunday morning now and see 10 youth teams in action. We create an environment where young players want to come and play for us.
"All of that feels vindicated when we get a day like this. We're the lowest-ranked club left in the competition, which is great. I love being an underdog and there's no pressure on the lads.
"It's going to be the greatest day in the club's history on Saturday."
The logistics of hosting a televised game are complex, particularly considering the practicalities of hosting such a big game that already exist.
But Peck is buoyed by the buy-in they have received from the community, with everybody pulling together to make the day as memorable as possible.
He said: "We're fortunate that we already have scaffolding up for our media team so the setup exists. There's going to be a TV camera between the dugout, which will be full view all over the pitch.
"We've brought in extra stewards from the youth teams, as well as friends and members of the club.
"Everyone's buying into it. It's given the club a lift. We've got 22 mascots for the game and everyone's out buying t-shirts and scarves.
"We've got a superb groundsman, which is crucial as the young teams play on the surface often.
"The main club committee is also superb, so we've been able to deal with all logistical challenges well. President Dave Simms and Club Secretary Steve Lewis have been involved with the club for over 25 years and days like this are reward for all their dedication and hard work.
"We also had a visit recently from Ian Wright, which was superb."
Opponents Sittingbourne play one level above Lordswood, with a rich history and ambition that Peck admits means they have the quality advantage of the two teams.
But the vice-chairman believes his side have a chance if they outrun their visitors – and is hoping manager Nicky Southall, who played for Bolton in the Premier League, can produce a big performance from his players.
Peck said: "Sittingbourne have a big budget and have some big players. They beat Dover in the last round, who are third in the league above them. They also beat us 4-0 in pre-season but I'm hoping that doesn't mean much.
"Our manager Nicky Southall has played at every level of football, including the Premier League, and his experience is crucial. It could come down to really fine margins and we want the players to believe.
"Last year we were ahead against Cray Valley Paper Mills before our keeper dropped one on their striker's shoulder in the 88th minute and it bounced in. We were then ahead in the replay before they eventually beat us 4-1. A few weeks later they drew 1-1 at Charlton and forced a replay. These things can happen.
"If our boys give 110% and leave everything out there we've got a chance.
"Either way, it's a milestone in our journey. Everyone's buying into it, from the volunteers through to the executive staff. We're at the start of something really exciting and we want to show ourselves off in front of the TV cameras."
Watch Lordswood v Sittingbourne live on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the red button at 12.30pm BST on Saturday 14 September.
