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Dartford FC aiming to stun League 1 Bradford City and reach the FA Cup third round for the first time since 1937

Dartford are dreaming of an FA Cup giantkilling this weekend which would go down as one of the greatest wins in their history and could send them to Old Trafford or Anfield.

Three decades since they last played in the second round, the Darts are plotting the downfall of League 1 Bradford City.

The odds will be stacked against them at Valley Parade on Sunday but, in front of the live BBC cameras, they’ll be roared on by up to 1,000 travelling supporters.

Bradford's imposing Valley Parade ground awaits Dartford on Sunday Picture: Barry Goodwin
Bradford's imposing Valley Parade ground awaits Dartford on Sunday Picture: Barry Goodwin

Dartford manager Tony Burman said: "The FA Cup is about players and supporters and it’s about the town being proud of their club.

"We’ve not been in the second round for a long time, 30 years, so it’s another fantastic achievement that everybody involved with this club should be proud of.

"It’s a day we should enjoy. We should go there wanting to be part of this cup competition against a League 1 side with a fantastic amount of history.

"We go there with no pressure on us and we know Bradford have got to have an off-day as well but if their misfortune goes our way, so be it."

The tie has been moved to Sunday so it can feature on the BBC’s FA Cup edition of Final Score. Viewers at home can watch the goals as they go in and the club will receive £12,500 for switching from Saturday - having already won £30,500 in prize money during the cup run. Dartford will also bank significant gate receipts from the Bradford game.

Vice-chairman Steve Irving said: "Financially, it’s great. After all, this is a business we’re running.

"If we got to the third round, it would be the first time for nearly 80 years.

"Of course we dream of going further. Why shouldn’t we? Look at Warrington and Worcester. They beat sides they never believed they could beat – but they dreamed that they could.

"As a supporter of 43 years, this one of the biggest games I’ve ever been involved in."

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