GARY ELPHICK reflected on his memories of the Emirates FA Cup as York City prepare the enter the competition on Saturday.

York will travel to Biggleswade FC on Saturday, October 12 (3pm) for the fourth qualifying round of the competition, with the hopes of reaching the first round proper.

The FA Cup is a competition that boasts great history with City holding memories in the competition, going as far as to reach the semi-finals in the 1954/55 season after defeating the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Blackpool, before losing to Newcastle United in replay at Roker Park.

Assistant manager Elphick holds memories of the competition himself, having been part of a Havant & Waterlooville squad that played Premier League sides.

“As a player, I had some massive games,” Elphick reminisced.

“As a Havant & Waterlooville player, I had that Liverpool run, I played Brentford the following year and it’s huge.

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“Especially for a non-league player as well when you are part-time, it can open doors for players and coaches as you can showcase what you’re all about.

“Hopefully we can put on a good show.

“We played Liverpool away at Havant, unfortunately I was cup tied, as I had only signed that year.

“I think we reached the third or fourth round the following year against Brentford.

“They were two fantastic experiences.”

Elphick has excitement for York’s entry into the competition, but is eager for the Minstermen to avoid any potential complacency against lower league opposition, also keen to continue a winning mentality.

“I just think that it’s something that would ignite the city again, we see the attendances steadily rise and hopefully everyone is happy with what we’re doing at the moment.

“It would be brilliant again, if we could get a massive team here at York and get the city behind us, it would be huge.

“It’s something to be excited about, it’s the greatest competition in the world as they say.

“I just think that with our mentality at the moment, we want to go into every competition and win games, it’s as simple as that.

“It doesn’t really affect the mind of the player too much, we’re there to do the same job week in, week out, which is to win games of football.

“It should be good.”