What's it like to step out onto the pitch and feel like a professional, even when you're still coming through the ranks?
Welcome back to a special episode of Sutton United Talk Time on Podcast! This isn't just an FA Cup preview; it's an Academy reunion. Host Mike Dowling sits down with current Sutton United first-teamers Junior and Jack, as well as former academy player and current Farnham first-team player Kai Tanner, for a unique discussion. The chat is all about the magic of the FA Cup, the pressure of playing in front of a crowd, and the standards drilled into them as young players. It's a must-listen ahead of the upcoming first-team and youth FA Cup matches
Mike Dowling
Hello, and welcome to another episode, a special episode of Sutton United Talk Time on podcast. It's an FA Cup preview slash Academy reunion episode. We're in association with Lucky Star Gin, as always, you're all over 18, that's all right.
Mike Dowling
So yes, we're in association with Lucky Star Gin. And if you're a regular listener, welcome back. And if you're a new listener, very, very welcome. I'm your host, Mike, and with me today, we've got Junior, And we've got Jack from the current Sutton United first team and former academy players.
Mike Dowling
And we've got Kaya Tanner, who is a former academy player and in the Farnham first team. Well, almost in the Farnham first team. He's hopping around again. We do love hearing from you, so stay connected.
Mike Dowling
Join the conversations at Sutton Podcast on all social medias. And we're going to jump in because it's actually a really good time, because not only is it our FA Cup match, the first teams, it's the youth FA Cup as well, which I think is next Wednesday against Mersin, the 15th, depending on when you're listening to this, obviously, at Gander Green Lane. Get your tickets and support the boys.
Mike Dowling
The three of you, we'll start with you, Jack. What's the biggest FA Cup youth night you can remember? What's the biggest one? Wait days, oppositions, what was it?
Jack
I didn't play many youth cup games. I don't think I played in the first one I sat in, but I think they played late in Orient and I think it was 1-0 we scored in late on in the game. I think they scored to win the game in extra time. I'm not sure if the other boys were playing in that one, but I think they both remember it.
Mike Dowling
Yep. Kai, what about you?
Kai
Yeah, I was quite lucky at Sutton, to be fair. I got to two third rounds, the first year being against Liverpool, away, where we did actually lose 6-0. But it was a worthy experience. That was obviously with your likes of Killian and that.
Kai
And then the year after that, we played Preston at home and lost on penalties, which was starting obviously, because if we went one step further, that would be history for the club. But yeah, I got to two third rounds, so I can't complain with that.
Mike Dowling
Preston One was cold, wasn't it?
Kai
Yeah,
Mike Dowling
really cold. Yeah, I remember being there. It was actually freezing, I think. And Junior, what about yourself?
Junior
I think the best would be in my first year, we played Colchester away at their stadium. A lot of our first years played, so I think it was only two second years that started. So we was quite a young group. I want to say it was 2-2 and then we went, it was 2-2 an extra time and then we won, I think, something mad.
Junior
I think it was like 11-10 on pens or something. Penalties kept going on and then I think Colchester missed their one and then we scored and then played Oxford, Oxford United away in round two and then I think we lost two in all there. So, yeah, that was a good run.
Mike Dowling
Yeah, so I love the fact that it's a memory for you, but for me that's like five minutes ago, because I remember. Yeah, yeah. God, I feel really old. I mean, it is a special competition.
Mike Dowling
Jack flexing, he kind of got into the first team quite quickly, so he didn't have that many of them, but it is a special competition. Why do you think so many players enjoy this competition, and what is it about this competition? Kai, we'll start with you on that one.
Kai
the
Mike Dowling
youth
Kai
club the FA Youth Cup would be someone like the best night of your life. I think because it's midweek as well, you know, you get that midweek feeling like playing for your, obviously, you're under the first team's name, obviously Sutton, and you're representing them. I think you get that, like, feel of pride. Like, obviously, you get spectators that watch the first team.
Kai
Like, we've got a couple of big crowds that I've never experienced before that. So, it was just, I think that feeling of pressure as well. Like, there was a lot of pressure, but Like, I don't know. It was just enjoyable playing on a Tuesday night under the lights, I think.
Mike Dowling
And was that really similar for yourself, Junior? Yeah,
Junior
100%, I think, as well. I think social media properly, like, boosts youth cups. I think it gets, like, it gets the competition going. Like, you can see, like, lots of accounts like Rising Ballers and stuff, like, they'll repost, like, teams doing well in the FA Youth Cup.
Junior
And, like, I think people that are playing in that one are inspired to keep going, keep winning in the rounds, keep going. And I think Maerstrom, a non-league team, last youth cup went, I think, round four against Chelsea. And that was, like, massive for them. So, I think, yeah.
Mike Dowling
Jamie's in Maerstrom, isn't he? Jamie D'Cruz.
Junior
Jamie, yeah, yeah. He's the first team manager, yeah.
Mike Dowling
And Jack, what about yourself? Why do you think seems so special.
Jack
As Junior said, Merson got to the round before playing against Chelsea. I think you play against boys in teams that you wouldn't normally play against throughout the week. And obviously some boys, maybe not Chelsea team, might be playing first team or... I mean, I think a few years ago, Ethan, when Harry and Miles O'Skelley were playing in the EVE Cup against Copa del Rey, and I look at them now, they're in the Premier League, I think you get to play against a variety of boys.
Jack
And it kind of gives you, like, as you said, play on first team pitches, like Junior played on Colchester. and you get to play on pitches and feel like a professional. I mean,
Mike Dowling
what's it like playing in front of a crowd? Junior, we'll start with you. So these are people now paying money to come and watch you play football. Does that give any extra pressure or is it something exciting?
Mike Dowling
What's that feel
Junior
like? I'd say the only time, I don't really notice it, but the only time I did notice it was when I made my debut last year. And I think it was about 3,200 attendance. And I felt a bit of pressure there when I was walking onto the pitch.
Junior
But as soon as you start playing the first 10 minutes, it sort of goes away. But yeah, it's good though. It's good fun to play in front of a big crowd.
Mike Dowling
And Ty, what was it like first time playing in front of a paying
Kai
Yeah, we've been lucky the last few years obviously, Farnham's done well with the social media side so we've been getting big gates obviously for Step 3 and Step 4. But like Junior said to be fair, it is like, as bad as it sounds, as bad as it sounds like, I don't really take notice of the people watching, as bad as that sounds, But of course, you're so focused on the game. That's the way to
Mike Dowling
go. But
Kai
I think, yeah, when you're especially when you're in a tight game, you obviously you've got like the crowd on your back or the crowd cheering you on. That's when you do feel like a sense of they are like they are just there. They're the ones that are watching you and putting that little bit more pressure on you. So you do get that.
Kai
But as footballers, obviously, you do have to just kind of ignore that and focus on yourself.
Mike Dowling
How about you, Jack? When you came on, I think you got very lucky with some of your very early challenges, and it all went very nicely for you, so the crowd was straight behind you. But how does it feel? How were you feeling going up to it?
Jack
Obviously, you feel like the nerves, but I think as soon as you step on that pitch, you kind of, it's like weird, you kind of block it all out. You just don't hear anything until obviously the ball goes out and you hear like a cheer or a goal goes in, and then suddenly it goes quiet or erupts. But I feel like, yeah, you're kind of just so focused on the game, so locked in where the ball is, you don't really take notice until obviously the play comes to a halt.
Mike Dowling
of you suggesting that all the things we share, all those instructions we give you, you guys take no notice of it. That's outrageous. The details. You all came through together, obviously, at slightly different times.
Mike Dowling
Were you playing any games together at the same time? Do you remember any?
Kai
I think I played quite a lot with JT. I think, Junior, you must have played maybe a couple of games in my third
Junior
year. First game of the season against Leighton Oran at home. One nil? Yeah,
Kai
one nil.
Mike Dowling
Apart from yourselves, who were the standout players in those academy sides that you thought were going to go all the way? So, we'll start with you, Kai. You've just puffed out your cheeks. Sorry, I thought you were
Kai
going to answer. Yeah, there's so many when you're playing with them. Obviously, Kylian is still playing in Football League, so he's the main one that comes to mind straight away. Just his finishing ability, powerful.
Kai
My year, obviously, you had Roman. I know he had a couple of clubs sniffing around him. Now he's at Dover. He's doing well there.
Kai
And then you look at these boys, the younger lot. The younger lot, like, where obviously I was, I say younger, a couple of years younger than me, like, where I'd been there for two years, I looked at them and I was like, yeah, these boys are decent. There's still boys there now, I think. Like, Bobby's there now.
Kai
Is he still there? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, like, boys like that. Like, when they were, kind of, like, 15, I was like, yeah, they're decent, so.
Kai
Obviously you've got these two playing in the first team now at Sutton, so there's been quite a few that have gone through Sutton and probably more that could have made it. I think when I first went on trial at Sutton, there was a boy called Declan and he went to Aston Villa for a year. There's players like that that you don't really remember as such, but there has been a lot.
Mike Dowling
Jack, do you think it's a case of the younger players, babies, but they're looking at you guys going, right, we're going to reach that standard and more. We're going to be better than those guys. Do you think you sort of spur them on?
Jack
Yeah, yeah, definitely. Obviously, trying to be a rumble just to them and obviously boost them. I think nowadays it's like closer the academy to the first team so they can obviously see what the intensity's like, see what the standard's like and obviously They've got points to prove as soon as they, every time they train with us or come in and play. But yeah, definitely, I feel like the standard is definitely getting closer.
Jack
They're catching up to us a bit, so. And
Mike Dowling
Junior, what's it like for you when these younger players are coming in, they're more your age, and you've got people like Charlie coming on and scoring, what was it, two in three?
Junior
Two and three, yeah, that's it. I think the gap, yeah, as JT said, the gap's a lot closer. Like the pathway, there's a strong pathway there. And I think the nine teams, there's a few good boys in there that can push the first team.
Junior
And like Charlie Bell scoring two goals in three games, like at 18, there's a pathway there. And if you're good enough and prove yourself in training and matches, there is, there'll be a place in the team for you. Yeah, it's good.
Mike Dowling
So is there anything that the academy coaches at Sutton at the time sort of drilled into you that sort of sticks with you today? Jack, we'll start with you. So is there anything you were taught by your academy coaches that you're still doing?
Jack
Yeah, definitely. It's definitely got to be the standards and the discipline. I remember at first, when we first went away, I don't know, I think it was Ardenley. I think the boys remember it.
Jack
I think it was We were doing a lot of running. And I was obviously a few late. Obviously, boys coming in for full-time football, we did a lot of running as a punishment. I think the standards and obviously being on time, as I think they said, being 50 minutes early is on time rather than being on time is late.
Jack
That's the main thing that stuck with me, really.
Kai
Guy? Yeah, probably just the cliche one, just like, just having to work hard. I remember Rick and Ross at the time, we sat down a team and they were just like, your time here will go so quick. And everyone turns a blind eye to it.
Kai
You're like, yeah, whatever. Like you're in your first year of your scholar. You're like, no way. Like I've got ages.
Kai
And then before you know it, that is up. And if you haven't worked hard enough in that period of time, then you're out the door and you're getting waved goodbye type thing. The people who always work harder will always get an overlook on the people that don't, I believe. And that is what they said.
Kai
So that still sticks in my head to this day.
Mike Dowling
Yeah, I think, very, very old, before my time even, Matt Busby, when he was at Manchester United, said, everyone gets to work hard. If you work hard, then you're going to beat them on talent. But if they work hard, they're going to beat you on working hard. Junior, how about yourself?
Mike Dowling
Is there anything that sticks in your mind?
Junior
Yeah, I'd say, just like the little things like they would bring in people talking about your diet, sleep, all the things that you wouldn't think are as important, but are really important. And it's the little 1% that when you do play professionally, it's them little 1% like getting enough sleep, eating well, drinking well. So yeah, just sort of them getting them people in to sort of build up our knowledge on that is really big.
Mike Dowling
And for those making the leap, I know some of you different times, how different is it playing regularly in the first team? What's the dressing room compare in the first team dressing room as opposed to the academy dressing room? Kai, we'll start with you because obviously your first team dressing was away from Sutton.
Kai
Yeah, yeah. It's weird you actually ask that. I actually had this conversation with our coach Jimmy last Tuesday at Epsom and I was saying without again coming across that I don't want to be big-headed but at Sutton I was one of the main figures when I was there and I go to Farnham and obviously I'd been there before but like, people don't really respect you.
Kai
Like, well, I had that respect at Sutton in the youth team, but when it goes into a first team environment, you
Mike Dowling
don't really get
Kai
respected. So you kind of have to, I've kind of had to earn that respect in my last, well, two and a half years now. And it's just, for myself, like, respecting that those players that I'm in the changing room with have already done it. Last year I met Junior, you played with him last year, like Bobby, Bob, he's obviously been a dork in that Aldershot.
Kai
When he's speaking, I listen to him because he's been there. As much knowledge that I think I have, he has that extra bit. I think it's all about respect when you step into men's football, knowing your place. Everyone knows you've got that talent, but it's just, like I said, that respect between you and the people that
Mike Dowling
have already done it.
Kai
No, I didn't.
Mike Dowling
Matt
Kai
Gray, we played Eastbourne in pre-season, I spoke to him.
Mike Dowling
What about yourself, Jack? What do you find is the difference between the first team and the dressing room?
Jack
It's got to be like the standards are driven by the older boys. They don't take any nonsense. Obviously, if you step out of line, they will. turn around and say something compared to the youth team, they might just brush past it.
Jack
Obviously, stepping in, you're young, you're unproven, so you obviously earn the respect of the older boys who have been in the league or experience playing over 300, 400 games. Yeah, I think it's about standards and obviously everything like that.
Mike Dowling
And Junior?
Junior
Yeah, obviously, Yeah, it's a lot different. With 18s football, I think it's more like mostly enjoying it, developing, and then you're playing with your mates sort of thing. But with first team dressing rooms, it's like, it is that as well, but there's a lot of things you're playing for points, whereas under 18s, the points, it doesn't really matter. You're not really playing for anything.
Junior
So, yeah, there's a lot more on the line in changing rooms, so you could say it's more like serious.
Mike Dowling
A couple of questions for you, Kai. What's it been like? I mean, you've mentioned at Sutton you were kind of the big guy. What's it been like since leaving Sutton, finding a new club, and how did the move to Farnham come about?
Kai
Yeah, it's a weird one, really. It's a bit of a negative one. Basically, obviously, I've come off the back of, like Junior said earlier on, my ankle injury. I had an op, obviously, in my last year at Sutton.
Kai
didn't play football, so I had the op in Feb and literally hadn't played football until the end of the season. And at one point, I was genuinely, hand on my heart, thinking about stopping. The boys at Farnham will know that. Thinking about stopping football just for a year to see how I got on.
Kai
Literally see if I missed it. Never know, I might not have played again, type thing. But John O, our gaffer still now, he said, look, come train with us in pre-season. Just to keep ticking over, actually kick a ball again, because I still hadn't kicked a ball.
Kai
Um, and then trains and then I was like, he was like, what's your, like, what's your thoughts, like things, what are you doing as, uh, they, they played two games, an FA cup game, actually, and a league game. And he was like, look, sign with us and basically see how the season goes. And obviously we went invincible that season, got promoted last season and we're third, yeah, third in the league now and step three. So it was, uh, probably one of the best decisions of my life to carry on playing football.
Mike Dowling
And do you make sure everyone knows it's all on you that that success has been entirely on
Kai
you?
Mike Dowling
I'll tell
Kai
people that. I think I'm a 0.01% of it, but I'll tell people.
Mike Dowling
No, make sure everyone knows. Since I've joined, so apart from the titles and cup runs, what have you enjoyed most about playing
Kai
there? Obviously, now I've got a load of friends there. The boys have been brilliant. I think we've still got a core of maybe 10 of us that went there in Step 5 and are still there in Step 3.
Kai
So that's been one of the main main enjoyments having that same group. But obviously with Fandom you get all the media stuff, you've seen the club gets upgraded. I was down there this week and for the game, I don't know if you were going Saturday, I'd hope so, but you're away, like Stan, fans, and stuff that's been put in place is just like mental. Every week I go there and something new is happening.
Kai
It is a club on the up, I'm not going to bad word, my own club, but it genuinely is a club that's going places, I believe. So that, like surrounding us playing on the pitch, it's just everything around it's just positive. So it's hard for me not to have enjoyed it, basically.
Mike Dowling
And you had an interesting mascot a couple of weeks ago as well.
Kai
We did. Crouchy, yeah. I actually blanked him in the changing room. genuinely didn't mean to.
Kai
He's gone to shake my hand and I've turned around to one of the boys, Dazza, and he's on the physio bench. And as he's put his hand out, I've turned around and all the boys have gone mental. I've turned around like, what? And he's just shook his own hand.
Kai
I was like, yeah, that don't happen every day. Blank and crouchy. But yeah, that was a good day for the club. I think 2,200 people or something like that were there.
Kai
So yeah, brilliant day for the club. That was
Mike Dowling
Excellent. And lastly, just for you, I do have a message from Rosie. Obviously, we didn't realise you were out injured. So my daughter, Rosie, has got a message for you.
Mike Dowling
Boo. Obviously, Sutton has got a huge history in the FA Cup. Coming through the academy sides, do we know about it? Is it always there?
Mike Dowling
Is it ever spoken about? The famous games. Jack, we'll start with you. Is it anything you were aware of?
Jack
Yeah, obviously we all know about the pie on the bench. I think that's one of the main things. Apart from that, playing against Arsenal and Wimbledon, it's all in around the ground. You can see it.
Jack
Obviously, the boys are speaking about there's obviously added pressure because obviously how successful we've been. Hopefully, we can add to that success this year. But yeah, I think boys definitely know. Obviously, I'm not sure about Junior, but we've always been told about the success of the club within the competition.
Mike Dowling
Junior, is it on your mind? Is it something you're aware of?
Junior
Probably a bit younger, but I'd say definitely the grassroots was, like, quite big. So when I was playing grassroots, like, Sutton United were always a top team, like, one of the best teams in grassroots. So I think, like, I knew about them. Obviously, I knew that they played in the National League.
Junior
And I think I was playing grassroots when they got promoted. I was playing on a pitch in the park. You know, I heard Yeah, it was good. Yeah, it was a good day.
Mike Dowling
You do listen to the crowd when you're on a pitch. Do you remember any kind of big moments? I know you guys had your own runs, but did you kind of have it in your mind that something's got their fake-up history?
Kai
Yeah, I think, like JT said, I think every time we'd walk out of the change room after a Saturday game, Sometimes that, I don't actually know what it's called, the bar opposite. You go out of the changing room. You've got all the history in that room. So like you said, you get reminded of it then when you walk through the changing room.
Kai
And obviously when a game like this comes about, obviously you boys have got the history where us at Farnham, this is the furthest we've been. So it's completely different. Well, different levels in the FA Cup type thing. We're looking to get into the first round proper for the first ever time.
Kai
let alone the round we're in now. West Sutton have done that before, and like JT said, they're obviously looking to add to the history of the club as well. So it's a great tie for both of us, both looking to put a positive on the club type thing.
Mike Dowling
So what was your first reaction, Guy, when the draw was made? I know the second was message me to come on and do a pause.
Kai
I was actually working. I had my AirPods in, listening to the draw. And my first, literally, again, as bad as it probably sounds, I didn't even think of Sutton. I just turned a blind eye to it.
Kai
I was actually looking at Aldershot. It was like us Aldershot dorking and obviously you boys left in it at the time. And I was thinking, it's going to be us, the Aldershot. Like, would it be Mayhem at Farnham?
Kai
That would have been absolutely crazy. But then I heard obviously dorking the Aldershot and I was like, We're one of the last balls. Who are we going to get?" And then it was us at
Speaker 5
home.
Kai
We were like, yes, we've got a home draw. Brilliant. And then it was Sutton. I was like, no way, we've just got Sutton.
Kai
I just didn't expect it. And then my dad texted me. Rick and Ross actually, I had a conversation with them too. So, yeah, it was just… I was happy.
Kai
Obviously, disappointed I'm not going to be involved, but I'll be there on the pitch, slandering these two if I can.
Mike Dowling
Yep, that was one of my later questions. Junior Jack obviously don't have the connection with the club, but you know Kai's there. Were you excited to be playing a former teammate?
Junior
Yeah, 100%. I think Kai mentioned as well, Bobby Joe plays for them as well. I was with him when I was on loan at Walton last year. So yeah, good mates with him.
Junior
So yeah, it'll be nice to see him.
Jack
Yeah, same. I was looking forward to playing against Kai again, or with Kai again, and dealing with him like I did in training a few times.
Mike Dowling
That was the question. It's like, if it's Jack and Kai, your roles mean you're going to meet on the pitch. I was playing against a former teammate, had any extra spice, and did you want to do a WWE-style promo? But Kai's claiming an ankle injury.
Mike Dowling
Yeah. So, is there a different preparation for FA Cup matches? Is it a different buzz or is it just, again, another game, another game, another game? Jack, we'll start with you.
Jack
Obviously, all the boys know it's an FA Cup, but you don't want to put too much pressure on yourself and overthink. You kind of just go through the week thinking it's obviously a game. And obviously, as soon as you step off Friday, you do the pre-match meeting, you go through the team and see who you're playing against. Then it becomes real.
Jack
And obviously, when Saturday comes and you wake up in the morning and you go, oh, it's FA Cup, I could get into the first proper round of the FA Cup here. So I think, obviously, now I think it's a bit more mellow. Obviously, as soon as we step in doors tomorrow, I reckon it'll, yeah, tumble over
Mike Dowling
a bit. Junior, what about yourself?
Junior
Yeah, I think it's just another match. You've got to think of it as another match. I think nothing too different with preparation as if it was a league game. Yeah, I think it would be my first involvement in an FA Cup match because I wasn't in it last year with Sutton or Walton.
Junior
So, yeah, it's exciting.
Mike Dowling
And Kai, what about yourself? Is the prep different for FA Cup matches? I know you guys have said it's just the furthest you've been, so it's going to be exciting.
Kai
Yeah, nothing different other than it's a 12.30 kick-off, obviously. We have to be up a little bit earlier. Nah, the boys are actually, they'll be training tonight in about 20 minutes. Don't send any spies.
Kai
Nah, it's training tonight and then again, that's us till Saturday. But honestly, I'm transparent. We're just looking at it as another game. There's not pressure on us as such.
Kai
So, yeah, just enjoy the occasion type thing. It'll be a good day.
Mike Dowling
So another question is going to be the 1230 kickoff. I think someone's got to back me up on this because I think it could make a difference. Do you think it'll make a difference to your players, Kai? Do you think anyone's going to be thrown off by the early kickoff, their meal preps and so on?
Kai
I don't know. My best mate Dino, he plays for us obviously as well. Honestly, I don't think it will phase him. He has a Red Bull and a pasta pot before a game.
Kai
I mean, he'll probably do the same thing at 8 o'clock. But now, I think, obviously, I think that's the time we used to kick off when we were at Sutton. At youth level, I think everyone's been there and done it at them times. So, you just wake up them a couple of hours early and then hopefully the boys get to sleep, aren't too excited.
Kai
And like I said, hopefully it's a good day for us. Better day for us, actually.
Mike Dowling
And Junior and Jack, I didn't even think of the youth football kicking off that early, but we've had a couple of early kick-offs this year, some of them quite far away. Do you think it's going to make a difference? Has it changed your prep? We'll start with you, Junior.
Junior
No, I think it'll be all right. UCL, Ultranome, I think it was Ultranome 12. So we've had it before, so I think it'll be all right.
Mike Dowling
Jack, you're my last hope. Just say yes, it's going to make a massive difference.
Jack
No, I think if I prefer an early kick-off, I don't know about the other boys, but I feel more up for it rather than waiting around all day. I think I'll go and wake up and I'll know exactly what I'm going to do and can get to the game straight away and obviously, hopefully have a better day than what Kai was on about.
Mike Dowling
I'll tell you all now, Andy Kay would be delighted because I said this to him on the last podcast, I could make a difference and he was like, it's not gonna make any difference. So he's delighted now, thanks for that. How important is the crowd going to be? I mean, Kai, it's obviously a home game, you've said that, obviously you've had a few big crowds there before.
Mike Dowling
The away end, I think we're almost sold out. I think we may have even asked for more. How important is the crowd going to be in this game from your point of view?
Kai
Yeah, obviously, from our point of view, it would be big. Obviously, getting behind us, even though earlier I said we don't take any notice of them. Obviously, on an FA Cup day, it might be slightly different when you do walk out the tunnel as such and you see a packed out ground. You do take that in and you do know, obviously, majority of the people there are supporting you being the home tie.
Kai
But like I said, as soon as the whistle goes at the beginning of the game, you are just focused on your job that you've been told to do and it's one of them where you just hope by the end of the 90 minutes that it's all gone to plan.
Mike Dowling
Jack, what about yourself? I think it's 550-ish people going to be there for something, pink hats and everything. How do you feel that it's going to make a difference for you guys?
Jack
Yeah, definitely, definitely be cheering us on. I think our away sport this year has been unbelievable, definitely helped us through those away days. But, yeah, they're cheering us up, getting the boys going. I think it's a tough place, obviously, going to be packed out.
Jack
Obviously, supporting the Farnham boys, but I think it'll definitely help us get up to the game. Hopefully get an early goal, get us cheering more.
Mike Dowling
And Junior, what about yourself? What do you feel about the crowd?
Junior
Yeah, I think it'll be a good crowd. Obviously, I think Farnham's got big social media flowing and stuff. I think every footballer sort of every match they play, they want to play in front of a big crowd. It's always better when there's a big crowd atmosphere.
Junior
So, yeah, looking forward to it. And yeah, it should be a good day.
Mike Dowling
Excellent. Now, Kai, I was going to say, if you're winning by a goal and there's a corner coming in in the last minute, would it cross your mind you just slip it in the net so you get to play it down the green lane? But obviously, I can't ask that question. We're going to wrap up.
Mike Dowling
Final message for the fans. So, Kai, speaking to your fans, speaking to Sutton fans, what's your message for the fans, the head of the FA Cup, basically?
Kai
Yeah, a bit like JC just said about obviously your fans, the fans have been brilliant for us this year, obviously travelling to places like Dorchester where it was three and a half hours, got us through that with 10 men, ended up winning 3-1, just the same again this Saturday. Obviously a huge game for the club, chance to make even more history again against obviously a top, top team, Sutton. Don't be disappointed if things don't go away, but if things do go away, we'll have a big, big party in town.
Mike Dowling
It's win or lose, we're on the booze. Junior, what about yourself? What's your message for the Sutton fans? Yeah, I
Junior
just wanted to say thank you for their support. Support's been excellent. I think after the game, I tried to pop in and speak to a couple of the fans and, yeah, they're really supportive. So, yeah, it doesn't go unnoticed and, yeah, hopefully get get as many down as possible to Farnham
Jack
and hopefully get to the front.
Mike Dowling
Excellent. Lovely. Well, we're going to wrap up this episode of Sutton Podcasts. As always, we appreciate everyone's attention and feedback.
Mike Dowling
Follow, like, and share at Sutton Podcasts on all socials. Subscribe. Thank you to Lucky Sargean. Thank you to you guys.
Mike Dowling
I know I ambushed you two in the players bar, and you're going to do this, and you're like, oh, OK. And Kai, thank you for the idea as well. So I hope everyone enjoyed it. Hope you enjoyed this episode.
Mike Dowling
And take care. We will catch up soon. Bye-bye.
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