Sheppey United chairman Tony Hughes admits planning for Friday night’s big FA Cup match has taken over his life.

The planning for the FA Cup match with Walsall began two days BEFORE Sheppey’s fourth qualifying round fixture against Billericay, a game they won after a penalty shootout. Both teams knew before that replay what a win would mean, with the first round draw already made.

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It’s been all go at Sheppey in preparation for a match that will be televised live on ITV4. Tickets for the game were quickly snapped up, with the club set for a record attendance of just over 1,500 at Holm Park.

The Ites hosted a press conference on Wednesday night and for chairman Tony Hughes - who only took on the role three months ago - it’s been a whirlwind.

“I have my own business but I have not been to work for the last 10 days!” he said.

“We knew if we beat Billericay it would be on TV, we knew when and at what time, and we did a lot of work then.

“We’ve had inspections and have had to make the stadium be able to stage that game.

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“We have tried to maximise the commercial side and we have put various bars outside the stadium. Our fans are not used to not being able to drink when watching a game of football, so we have tried to manage that.

“We will open earlier than we would do normally, we want people to enjoy the whole atmosphere. The music will be on, they can have something to eat and drink, watch the game and soak it up. We want to see people here from 4.30pm and enjoy the whole journey.

“For me, Lee Allen (communications manager) and Jon Longhurst (the secretary), the work has taken over our lives.”

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It certainly wasn’t the kind of ride the chairman expected to be on when he agreed to take on the role in the summer, but he’s loving the excitement of it all.

Mr Hughes said: “When myself and Ernie (Batten, manager and director) had a conversation about (becoming chairman) I thought ‘that would be nice, a bit of football every Saturday, get to know the first team and see where we can take it’.

“But to be here now, it is just absolutely unbelievable, with the win at Merthyr and then winning the Billericay game on the 10th penalty (of a shoot-out). The last 10 days have just been a whirlwind, absolutely unbelievable.

“We’re going places we have never been before. The ITV cameras will be here and we are enjoying the journey.

“It is more than just the finances for us, it is the community, the club, the people around it, everybody is enjoying this and they are excited about Friday evening. It is going to be one hell of a night!”