KEVIN HORLOCK played for his boyhood club, appeared in the Prem, won international caps and even scored at Wembley.
But progressing to the FA Cup second round with eighth-tier Maldon & Tiptree — the day after his 53rd birthday — would rank as one of his greatest achievements.
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Former Man City star Kevin Horlock is now manager of Maldon & TiptreeCredit: Paul Edwards
Horlock is hoping to achieve an FA Cup fairytale with the non-league clubCredit: Paul Edwards
The odds are heavily stacked against the lowest-ranked club left in the competition knocking out League One Port Vale at Vale Park on Sunday in front of the cameras.
Yet the Jammers, nicknamed because of the nearby jam factory in Tiptree, have lofty ambitions and a hefty bank balance, and want to rise through the divisions like Wrexham did.
The Isthmian League North Division side are four rungs below the EFL, and they are bankrolled by Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, who took control in February with his partner Scott.
Former West Ham and Manchester City midfielder Horlock, who gets a full-time wage and returned to Essex for a second spell because of “unfinished business”, said: “This match is massive for us.
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“Winning on Sunday would be up there with every high moment I’ve had in football. A goal at Wembley. Scoring at Upton Park. Stuff I dreamt of as a kid.
“The owners came in with ideas for this football club. They’re obviously really successful businessmen. They wanted to give back to the community and create something that everybody can be proud of.
“The club’s changed beyond recognition. They want success and this is the perfect way to repay them.
“We want to create our own history. We’ll always look up to teams like Wrexham.
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“There’s pressure on us. I feel the pressure. That was probably one other reason why I came back.
“Barrie and Scott want to go to the Football League, so we’ll give it a right good go. I feel very lucky and honoured to be given the manager’s job.
Horlock is still loved by Man City fansCredit: Reuters
“Port Vale is a really tough draw for us. But it’s the FA Cup… you never know.”
Maldon striker Freddie Sears is remembered for scoring for West Ham at Upton Park aged 18 but he is 35 now and moved into non-league after stints with Ipswich and Colchester United.
The Jammers’ best asset is 21-year-old Anisius Lewis, a speedy forward, who was set to move to a Championship side last year until he underwent ACL knee surgery.
As a player, Horlock had two spells with West Ham, the team he supported growing up.
After playing at Swindon under Glenn Hoddle, he moved to Manchester City in 1997 — and scored in the third tier play-off final and in the shootout as they fought back to beat Gillingham in 1999.
Horlock, who also won 32 caps for Northern Ireland, recalled: “Probably the most scared I’ve ever been in football.
“Walking from the halfway line to the Man City end, knowing how much it meant to the fans for us to win the game. I watch it and I can see the fear in my face.
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“I had a half-decent left foot, no pace, but I gave everything for every team I played for.
“I think the Man City fans appreciated that and still adore me to this day, which is a little bit embarrassing.”
