Sheppey United’s blockbuster FA Cup tie against Walsall is the perfect reward for the volunteers who rebuilt the club from the bottom up over the last decade, believes kitman and social media manager Lee Allen.

The Ites welcome the League Two outfit to Holm Park on Friday for a cup tie in front of the TV cameras after reaching the First Round for the first time in their history.

The club was forced to almost start from scratch following a tough beginning to the 21st century but has enjoyed steady progress in recent years, including winning the Kent Senior Trophy twice and taking the 2022 Southern Counties Eastern Football League Premier Division title.

And Allen admitted Friday night will be the club's biggest moment to date as they look to pull off a shock against a side four divisions higher in the football pyramid.

“Without doubt this is the most important match in terms of attendance and audience,” said Allen.

“I have also been at games where we have won the league or cup but this is going to be the one that is going to live in the memory for a long time.

“A couple of years ago we won four trophies in one season and it didn’t really capture the attention it should have done.

“Whereas with us being the lowest-ranked team in the FA Cup First Round, it has attracted a lot of media interest and put Sheppey on the map.

“It is a great tick in the box for the community. The football club was nothing 10 years ago, we had to reform, and it has built its way up to where it is today, and it is a just reward for everyone’s hard work, time, and money they have put in to get the club to where we are going to be on Friday.

“My phone hasn’t stopped buzzing since we beat Billericay. Everyone wants tickets. Our capacity is 1400, with all the interest we have had we could have sold 2,500 or 3,000 quite easily.

“It has got a lot of interest, and I am hoping once the FA Cup is done and we go back to the bread and butter of the league, our average attendance will grow.”

The Ites, who play in the Pitching In Isthmian League South East Division, the eighth tier of English football, have already beaten higher opposition to keep their longest-ever FA Cup run alive.

Seventh-tier Merthyr Town were stunned 4-1 away from home in the third round of qualifying before Billericay Town were beaten on penalties following two breathless ties.

And captain Richie Hamill is not ruling out another upset under the Friday night lights, particularly if the home faithful can recreate the atmosphere during the replay against Billericay.

“It will be an ask to even get a replay but on our day at home I think we fancy ourselves against almost anyone,” he said.

“Obviously we will need a bit of luck along the way and have to play at our absolute maximum and them to have a bit of an off day, but you see it every year in the FA Cup and there’s no reason why we can’t do it.

“The atmosphere in the replay against Billericay was absolutely electric. If the fans can recreate that again it gives us an extra push.

“It is always the dream to reach the First Round and get a big tie and luckily that’s what we got this year. It’s been a great journey up until now in the FA Cup but this is the icing on the cake.”

Find volunteering opportunities at your local club by visiting https://pitchinginvolunteers.co.uk/