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Twenty years on from his role in one of the most iconic FA Cup finals of the century, Anton Ferdinand can make a different kind of history in the competition. It was Ferdinand whose penalty miss decided the shoot-out in the last final to be played in Cardiff, after Steven Gerrard’s memorable goal for Liverpool denied West Ham victory. Now, though, the former centre-back is in the unfamiliar position of having a vested interest in the first round of the cup. Hornchurch, the team he joined as a first-team coach over the summer, take on 1953 winners Blackpool as they chase one of the biggest upsets of the round.
“As a kid you grow up dreaming about playing in the FA Cup final and to be able to sit here and say that I've done that is really something that I'm proud of,” Ferdinand said. “There's a lot of players who have played in the Premier League who have had better careers than me or been better players than me but can't sit there and say they've played in the FA Cup final.
"We're talking about a competition that has history running through it. Waking up in the morning of FA Cup final day, watching the build-up all the way up until kick-off time and after kick-off with the trophy lift. FA Cup day was all about that as a kid and the memories I have of that, to then go and do it.
“Obviously it's bittersweet because we never won it, we should have won it on the day then me missing the penalty caused us to lose it, which wasn't great. But to be a part of it and be a part of arguably one of if not the best final that has been - definitely in the last century - is something I'm really proud of.
“And the journey of the first round proper as a coach is new for me and I'm really looking forward to it.”
Ferdinand was talked into joining Hornchurch by former CEO Mark Hammond and manager Daryl McMahon - a friend from his West Ham academy days who he has known since the age of 11. McMahon is also supported by experienced right-hand man Steve Gritt, best known for his spell as Charlton Athletic boss in the 90s, and the duo have overseen two promotions in three years.
Hornchurch currently in mid-table but know wherever they finish this season, it will be their highest ever placing in the pyramid. The club has a rich local history dating back to the 19th century but have only got this far in the cup on a handful of occasions. Given the David vs Goliath nature of the game, Ferdinand is a little surprised Hornchurch weren’t chosen for TV - something which would have helped a team with a far smaller budget than some of their National League rivals.
“It's a fantastic draw,” he said. "Getting anyone in the football league at home, coming to The Bridge at Hornchurch, would have been a fantastic draw.
“The size of team like Blackpool, who have won the competition as well, makes it even bigger when you talk about the history books. It's something we're going to relish, something that we're going to enjoy, and we're looking forward to it.
“I'm surprised we're not on TV but we've got an opportunity to break records this season.Every week we're breaking records, it's the highest that the club's ever been so it's fantastic to be a part of this football club and be involved in that.
“Saturday is another one.It’s something that we're all looking forward to but most importantly it's something the club can look back at with pride. Daryl, Steve Gritt and his coaching staff have had two promotions in three years and we're in the first round proper. It's time to start creating new achievements and breaking new records and this is what we're here for.”
Ferdinand is picking things up quickly during his first season at The Bridge. He owes a lot of that to the experienced McMahon, who has already racked up more than 500 games as a manager at the age of 43.
"Nothing really surprises me with Daryl," he said. "I've always known his football brain and the way that he sees football. It's more the intricacies of management.
"Obviously we don't have the biggest budget in the National League so we have to do things differently to other teams. We have to be a lot more tactful and tactical in how we bring players in and change players around - it's a lot harder.
"And watching him do that and watching the intricacies of how he does that has been really fascinating for me. Every day is a learning day for me, I feel like I'm back at school."
One thing which has changed since Ferdinand's school days, however, is the way football fans take in the FA Cup. As a child, one of the highlights of his year was watching a full day's worth of FA Cup coverage on final day but that connection arguably isn't there for today's youth thanks to broadcasting changes.
A return to terrestrial-only coverage could change that, he thinks, as could moving the semis back to neutral grounds across the country rather than having both at Wembley. The magic also comes from upsets, though, and Hornchurch have a chance to provide one of those this weekend,
"Putting those things (day-long final coverage and neutral ground semis) back in would be fantastic," Ferdinand said. "That's what made it such a prestigous thing to be involved in during my childhood. It's not just me who talks about it like that, a lot of people talk about it in the same way.
"And the beauty of the FA Cup is it is a giant-killing competition. Things happen on those days and we're going to put our best foot forward to try and be part of that conversation."
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