FA Cup: Maldon & Tiptree’s Jack Cowley parks for cup glory

Maldon and Tiptree captain Jack Cowley says he enjoyed the task of juggling life as a black cab driver as they reached the first round of the FA Cup.

The eighth-tier minnows – the lowest-ranked club remaining in the competition – will attempt to upset League One rivals Port Vale at Vale Park on Sunday having already won six ties to get this far.

Maldon’s squad includes many players with experience in the NRL and above, including Freddie Sears, Macaulay Bone, Gary Hooper, Anthony Wordsworth and Tom Eastman, as well as some exciting youngsters.

Cowley, who played for clubs such as Bromley and Maidstone before going part-time, loves leading the group.

He told BBC Essex: “It’s crazy, a lot of the boys have been professionals all their lives so they’re used to coming in the first or third round, so for them to come in the extra preliminary round, it’s a bit crazy for them.”

“A lot of the boys are part-time at this level of football so they have jobs up front. Some of the players who have just come out of the professional game have the luxury of not having to do that which is a great combination.”