Altrincham aim to upset Notts County in FA Cup tie at Moss Lane on Saturday
Altrincham will host League One Notts County at Moss Lane in the FA Cup on Saturday, 7 November at 17:30 GMT as the non-league side bid to produce another upset in front of a live BBC TV audience and a bumper Moss Lane crowd.
Graham Heathcote, who made more than 500 appearances for Altrincham during the club's 1970s and 1980s golden era, said: "I honestly believe that we were the best non-league team ever. Look at that history - it should give the players the confidence that anything is possible." Altrincham are currently seventh in the National League and have beaten 17 Football League opponents in the FA Cup, more than any club to have spent its entire existence in non-league football. Heathcote scored 100 goals for the club and was part of the side that reached the FA Cup third round in four consecutive seasons between 1978 and 1982. The club also won the FA Trophy twice and, despite twice topping the then Alliance Premier League, were denied Football League election by a single vote in 1980.
Altrincham’s cup history includes third-round draws at Everton at Goodison Park in 1975 and against a star-studded Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane in 1979, and Heathcote recalled scoring a penalty at Anfield against Liverpool in the third round in 1981. Their most famous victory came in 1986 when they knocked out top-flight Birmingham City at St Andrew's, becoming only the second of four non-league teams to beat top-flight opposition away from home.
Manager Neil Gibson, who joined last year to help the club avoid relegation, has overseen an impressive start to the current National League campaign with Altrincham looking like play-off contenders. Gibson said: "It would mean a lot. It's the spirit and essence of this club. We have a real opportunity. They are a very good team, but it's a game where we feel that we can go and etch our own memories. All the fans remember those cup moments from the past and we want to try and replicate that." He added that his squad contains five players who have previously appeared for Notts County.
Gibson also brings personal cup experience, having played 24 years ago for Conference club Southport in a memorable FA Cup upset over Notts County, and having won the Welsh Cup three times, including twice as a manager. "Cups have always been very special to me," he said, and he promised: "We're really excited about it and we're going to give it absolutely everything. But you only remember these days if you come out on the right side of the result."
Graham Heathcote later managed Altrincham from 2002 to 2009 but did not replicate his playing-era cup glories as a manager. His son Sam followed him into the Altrincham side, helped them to a shock win over League One Barnsley in 2015 and, after moving to Macclesfield, this year played in the defence as that National League North side stunned then-holders Crystal Palace in what the article describes as the greatest shock in FA Cup history, with a 117-place gap between the teams. "I never won in the third round. It's just one of those things!" Graham said, and he added: "I'd love to see them get to the third round, so the current generation of Altrincham fans can feel what it's all about. 51 years ago I played at Everton and people still speak about it now. These players have that chance to create such a legacy. Don't just dream about it. Make it happen." Heathcote senior will be at League One side Mansfield on Saturday where he hopes to watch Sam pull off another upset for Macclesfield, while also following the action at Moss Lane.
Altrincham's immediate objective is to make Notts County number 18 on their list of league scalps and secure a place in the third round. Saturday's tie kicks off at 17:30 GMT, with live coverage on BBC Two and iPlayer from 17:15 BST and live text commentary available on the BBC Sport website and app.