Taken from www.thefa.com

[Foxy2004]

While Glasgow Rangers prepare to take on Celtic in the Old Firm clash in Glasgow, local pride will also be at stake for another Rangers in The FA Cup.

 

Concord Rangers, who hail from Canvey Island, are hosting rivals Ilford Town in the Extra Preliminary Round of the competition.

 

Last season both clubs clashed in the Essex Senior League, with Concord finishing as champions and Ilford runners-up. Concord, though, were denied promotion because their ground was not up to standard, so Ilford went up into the Ryman League South Division Two instead.

 

Both teams appointed new managers over the summer, Mark Jenkins joining Rangers and Alan Fenn becoming player/manager of Saturday’s opponents.

 

And the Rangers boss is not fazed by the fact that his team will be going into the game as underdogs.

 

Jenkins said: "Ilford now are in a bigger league and therefore we will be seen as the underdogs. But I don’t go in for all that.

 

"We are the home side and we are playing for the glory of The FA Cup. There is a real buzz about the place because it is a privilege to be involved in the competition.

 

"If we get through, then it is a bonus for the club financially and for the players. Thurrock had a great run last year and the club made money while the players lived the dream. That is what it is all about.

 

"I know their manager from my playing days at Billericay. We both played in centre midfield and had some right ding-dong battles as I remember."

 

Rangers will go into the tie with a fully-fit squad and the fans will be looking for top scorer Neil Richmond, 22, to add to his tally of three goals in four games so far this season.

 

The game is fairly evenly poised as Fenn will take his team on the 45 minute journey to Canvey Island full of confidence after they bounced back from an opening day 4-3 defeat to Chertsey Town with a 4-0 thumping of Hertford Town last weekend.

 

Ilford will be looking for more goals from Chris Stevens, 25, and Bradley Jones, 26, as the pair have now formed a useful partnership.

 

"We needed a new manager over the summer;" said club director Bill Robertson. "All the directors came up with the same name and that was Alan’s.

 

"He motivates the team very well and all the players respect him. He was the natural choice to take over.

 

"We are a community club here and the game will mean a lot to the fans and the local area. The whole team are up for this game and we know it will be tough one."

 

[andyetfc]

There's me thinking that Ilford moved side ways into a comparable league.

[Pavagrotti]

Perceptions my dear Watson perceptions!