Soccer: Banks will not be sitting on his hands

Banks was a Scraley Road player when the Swifts qualified for the legendary cup competition for the second time in their history in 1997.

But he was forced to watch his side lose at the hands of Bournemouth at Dean Court.

Banks said: "I had a broken hand and missed the previous FA Cup game with Bournemouth I was devasted.

"I really can't wait to play this time round it certainly will be the biggest game of my footballing career."

Banks is now in his seventh season with the Ryman League premier division side notching up over 350 appearances and is relishing the opportunity of coming up against league oppostition.

He said: "Any non-league footballer loves pitting their wits against full-time professionals and although Bristol City are a strong side I remain highly optimistic that we can create an upset."

Although Banks said that the club and himself are not approaching the game differently to any other match, the team will stay at a hotel the night before the big game to 'bring the players together'.

"Since drawing City our minds have been very much on the FA Cup game but we've had to concentrate on important league games in the meantime.

"It's not been hard to motivate ourselves in the league because it has given the players a chance to impress the manager and stake their claim for a place in the team."

The 33-year-old keeper, who began his career as an apprentice at Tottenham Hotspur, is delighted that the cup-tie has not been switched to Ashton Gate and is hoping that a large Scraley Road contingency will get behind the team.

"I remember playing against Woking in the FA Trophy when we lost 1-0 at Scraley Road when over 3,000 people watched the game. It was an excellent atmosphere.

"It's great for the village and all our local fans. If we switched the game to their place I'm not too sure how many fans would've made the trip.

Published Friday November 15, 2002

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