Boss would love to have a Cup run with Reds
Manager Mark Yates has got some fond memories of the FA Cup third round – and he would love a repeat with Reds.
The former Cheltenham boss played in fifth round tie for the Robins against West Bromwich Albion in front of 27,000 fans at the Hawthorns in 2002 which the home side edged 1-0.
And then as a manager of the club, he led them to the third round in successive seasons when they played Tottenham at White Hart Lane in 2012 before entertaining Everton in front of the TV cameras.
“Those sorts of occasions are great for everyone. Players get the chance to play against world-class players, managers pit their wits against rivals from a much higher league and, of course, for the fans they are wonderful memories," said Mark.
“I’m sure if you mentioned Crawley Town to any football fan the first thing they would think of would be playing at Old Trafford against Manchester United in 2011. There are pictures from that day inside our stadium and that’s how it should be because days like that are the great days in a club’s history.
“I’ve had some good experiences with Cheltenham such as playing in front of a big crowd at the Hawthorns and then the games against Spurs and Everton.
“It’s harder these days even to get to the third round. The top non-league teams are all full-time so there's not much of an advantage and there are some big clubs in League One.
"You need to play well and get a bit of luck with the draw but what an incentive because once you’re in the hat with the big boys you never know what you might end up with.
“So Saturday (against Luton) is a big game for everyone at the club and I hope the fans will be there supporting us.”
Mark and Spurs' boss Harry Redknapp before Cheltenham's FA Cup tie in 2012
Mark and Everton counterpart David Moyes before Cheltenham's FA Cup tie in 2013
