Gary Charman has been battling to be fit for Horsham’s latest big FA Cup day.

But he knows the sort of excitement which could await should he recover from a twisted knee in time to face Chatham.

Charman scored for Horsham when they drew at Yeovil in 2000 and played home and away against Roberto Martinez’s Swansea City six years ago.

He would love to help set up another exciting knockout occasion for his hometown club.

The central defender and assistant manager said: “We have had two or three cracking runs. Yeovil is one of the best memories.

“We got down there on the Saturday and the pitch was immaculate. Then they had a flash flood and the game was called off.

“We went back in midweek and it was special to put us one up with all my family there.

“We got a 2-2 draw at Stevenage one year and obviously the Swansea games were special.

“Everyone still remembers playing at the Liberty Stadium, which was a dream come true, but I also look back at the home game when we drew 1-1 at Queen Street.

“The atmosphere was fantastic. It was pouring with rain and we were backs to the wall for 75 minutes.

“Then we scored and I think in the last ten minutes we really gave them a scare.

“The FA Cup can be mammoth. You’ll never win it but you try to get as far as you can and we have a good opportunity.

“Chatham are in our division and I don’t think there will much between the sides.

“If we play as we can and work as hard as we can, we have got a great chance.”