Hollands & Blair are preparing for an historic first ever FA Cup fixture this weekend.

But the man who has done so much to get them there won’t be around to see it.

Secretary Laurence Plummer has been the driving force behind the club for four decades but a prior engagement in La Manga means he is going to miss their extra preliminary round FA Cup match at Horsham YMCA.

New boss Bryan Greenfield hopes his side can get over the first hurdle and progress to the next round, allowing Plummer to get a taste of FA Cup magic.

Greenfield said: “It is something new for the club and it’s going to be a big day.

“The club have come such a long way in such a short space of time and people behind the scenes have worked so hard.

“It’s gutting that Plum can’t make it, after everything he has done, but hopefully come 5pm, we can send him a nice message and a picture for him.”

Blair won’t be short of confidence ahead of their trip on Saturday, having already bagged some silverware.

Two late goals saw Blair beat last season’s league champions Greenwich Borough 3-2 to win the Roy Vinter SCEFL Challenge Shield.

Greenfield said: “It was nice to get the win and a bit of silverware and the boys did well, especially in the second half.

“They showed the right attitude and it was just about trying to get them to believe in themselves.”