Hythe Town dream of FA Cup upset against Staines Town

Kent League side Hythe Town believe they can cause a shock when they face Blue Square South Staines Town in the final qualifying round of the FA Cup.

If they win they will become the first Kent League side to reach the first round since Ramsgate Athletic in 1956.

"Hopefully we can pull off the shock. They have in their time and they could be on the receiving end this year," boss Scott Porter told BBC Radio Kent.

"We've done our homework and if you've got this far you take it seriously."

Porter continued: "It would be unbelievable - I think we would be speechless as a football club. I'm sure I will be.

"I said to the lads 'these days don't come around often so enjoy it'.

"If we do pull off a shock it will be absolutely unbelievable for myself, the lads, the coaching staff and the football club.

"I think everybody who's followed football has followed the FA Cup - I'm no different.

"I've always been in football since I was five - I didn't expect that I'd do this as a manager.

"We could make a bit of history for the football club and it's a dream come true."

Hythe's cup run has brought in some much needed money into the club. So far they have earned £18,000 from their FA Cup and Vase runs.

Chairman Paul Markland told BBC Radio Kent it had enabled them to carry out some much-needed improvements around their ground.

"It's meant that the budget for the rest of this season is in place which is superb," he said.

"We've been wanting to refurbish our bar for many a year and our cup run has delivered that now."

The chairman also revealed that he has not been allowed to shave since their win over Concord Rangers nearly a fortnight ago - in case it brings them bad luck.

He said: "I was on holiday and hadn't shaved on holiday - I came back the morning of the Concord game and of course we won and the players and directors have made sure I haven't shaved since.

"If we beat Staines then I'll certainly look like Santa Claus."