Boss Sandy insists FA Cup trip to Burton will be much more than 'a day out' for underdogs Diamonds
Elliot Sandy says AFC Rushden & Diamonds won't just be going to Burton Albion 'for a day out' when they make the trip to Staffordshire for a huge FA Cup first round clash next month.
Diamonds' reward for reaching this stage for the first time in the club's history is an away day at the Brewers, who are currently going well in Sky Bet League One - five steps above Sandy's side.
Burton play at the 7,000 capacity Pirelli Stadium and are managed by the experienced Gary Bowyer.
They will be big favourites against a Diamonds team that plays in the Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midlands Division, but Sandy says he and his team will be going there with the intention of winning.
Diamonds have already got through six rounds to reach the first round proper, and in the past three rounds have beaten teams from higher levels.
Saturday saw them see off National League North outfit Morecambe 2-1 at Hayden Road in the fourth qualifying round, and that came after wins over another Step 2 side in Braintree Town and Step 3 Peterborough Sports.
So the Diamonds are well used to producing cup shocks, and can go to Burton with a believing spring in their step.
"Burton is obviously a really good club, and we look forward to going there," Sandy told BBC 5 Live's Monday Night Club.
"A club like ours, we pray for the TV coverage, because of where the club has come from, and we have beaten three teams from leagues above on the way here.
"We are certainly not going to Burton for a day out, we'll do what we can to try to get a result."
Following Saturday's win over the Shrimps, Diamonds would have been dreaming of drawing the likes of Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday or county rivals Northampton Town.
But Sandy insists everyone at Hayden Road is happy with how things have turned out.
"Going away to Burton, we get half of the gate, and there were bigger ties that everybody looks for," he said.
"But we are delighted with the draw because we just wanted any League club.
"To be in the first round proper in this club's history is just an amazing achievement and I am so proud to be a part of it.
"The finances from this are huge."Just the FA Cup in general, we started in the first week of August and we have had to play seven games, and we have had to get through six ties to get to where we are now.
"One of those was a replay which we had to win on penalties, and it has been a long old slog."But that's why the FA Cup is so important to a club like ours."
The first round ties will be played over the weekend of November 6-9.
By Jeremy Casey