Chief executive of the lowest ranked team left in the FA Cup has admitted that he wants to get Newcastle United in the next round having been raised as a fan of the Magpies.
Newcastle secured their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time under Eddie Howe with a big win over rivals Sunderland on Saturday and now they await their next opponents.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Maidstone United chief executive Bill Williams has admitted that he would love to be drawn against Newcastle in what would be a huge game for him personally and the club.
Williams has been a Newcastle fan all his life
Maidstone, who are currently competing for promotion from the National League South, beat League One Stevenage on Saturday afternoon in what was a huge upset.
With the majority of Premier League clubs making it through to the next round, the non-league side could well be in for a huge tie which will be played at the end of January.
There’s just one club on the mind of their chief executive, however, as Williams is hoping to come up against his boyhood team who have really struggled in this competition in the last two decades.
Despite his brothers’ best efforts, Williams was born to be a Geordie thanks to his mother who raised him as a Newcastle fan, and now it’s real possibility that he could come up against the Magpies.
“It can only be Newcastle United, because my mother was a Geordie! My brothers used to take me when I was a five-year-old to Fulham and Arsenal, but they’d hear me singing ‘Whoa me lads, you should’ve seen us gannin’.
“I’ve been a Newcastle supporter for years and I’ve been pillared for it, but never mind.
Newcastle are banking on FA Cup success
With no Champions League or Carabao Cup to fight for this season, the FA Cup remains Newcastle’s only opportunity to end their long wait for a bit of silverware.
Newcastle will be hoping that they can finally get a lower league team in a cup draw after a long run of difficult ties in all competitions, so a fourth round fixture against Maidstone may be ideal for all parties.
That’s not say they will be underestimating whoever they get in the next round, that’s just not something Howe has ever done, but it would be a chance for Newcastle to possibly rotate their squad.
It’s a risky tactic given that this is the only competition they can be successful in, but Howe will be keen to give his players a rest after what has been an injury-plagued season.
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