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Thursday, November 20, 2008, 08:00
King has made the FA Trophy Final twice with his previous club Canvey Island and he told the Chronicle: "I would like this City side to go all the way," he declared. "It's a great competition and a great cup to win and we've a better side this season so I want us to really go for it."
City go to rival Blue Square South side Hayes & Yeading on Saturday in the Third Qualifying Round determined to win.
Victory would also see them receive £4,000 in prize money and go they would go into the First Round proper with the where the Blue Square Premier sides join the competition.
Final winners pick up £50,000 at Wembley not to mention money generated through ticket and merchandise sales along the way.
"I'm not worried so much about the money, which of course is good for the club, but it's the tremendous atmosphere and the day itself when you win in the final," he added.
Back in season 2000/01 King took his Canvey side to a Villa Park final – Wembley was under reconstruction – where they beat Forest Green 1-0 and two years later his side lost in the final to Hednesford Town.
There's also another reason why King wants to beat Hayes & Yeading – the Middlesex side dumped City out of the FA Cup two seasons ago.
"We shall be going there to win and make it into the next round," he added. "We owe them one for putting us out of the cup so a win on the day is vital."
City, still smarting over their 3-2 Blue Square South defeat against Bath City on Saturday, will welcome back both Chris Duffy and Steve Ward from injury, who will both in the starting squad.
Still missing though will be central defender Steve Robinson through suspension but otherwise City expect to have a full squad available.
On the Bath defeat King was disappointed adding: "For the first 20 minutes or so I thought we played some of our best football of the season.
"But the usually reliable defence then had their worst spell of the season and handed them three goals.
"But these things happen in football and you have take it and move on.
"We'll have to dust ourselves down, get up and have another go again.
"Sometimes you need a little kick up the backside to make things get back to reality again, so hopefully that's what will happen."
If an FA Trophy replay is necessary it will be at Melbourne Stadium on Monday, kick off 7.30pm, otherwise City will go as scheduled on Tuesday to Grays Athletic for their re-arranged Setanta Shield Third Round tie, kick-off 7.45pm.
The original game was called off last week because of a floodlight failure at the Bridge Road ground – the same reason why Grays' FA Cup First Round replay was abandoned on Tuesday with the home side winning 1-0. That tie has now been rearranged for Saturday, November 29.
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CONFIDENT: City boss Jeff King.
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