HISTON chairman Gareth Baldwin admitted he had to pinch himself after the Cambridgeshire side were drawn out of the hat against either Leeds or Northampton in the FA Cup second round.

Mike Bacon

HISTON chairman Gareth Baldwin admitted he had to pinch himself after the Cambridgeshire side were drawn out of the hat against either Leeds or Northampton in the FA Cup second round.

The Stutes, who put out League One side Swindon Town on Saturday, will entertain either Leeds or Northampton at the Glassworld Stadium in three weeks.

And Baldwin couldn't be more delighted.

“When you think that 11 years ago we were playing in the Eastern Counties League Division One and on Saturday we put a League One side out of the FA Cup, it's remarkable,” Baldwin said.

“And then to be drawn out of the hat to possibly be entertaining Leeds United, well, I just have to pinch myself.

“It makes all the hassle and aggro of the last few years seem well worth it and it's a tribute to all the volunteers and people at the football club.”

Indeed Histon were lining up against Felixstowe, Stowmarket and Hadleigh back in the 90s, but after winning the Eastern Counties League in 2000, they moved into the Southern League and have not looked back since.

Baldwin always remembers with affection his time in the Eastern Counties League and indeed he has been keen for Histon Reserves to remain in it.

Today Histon will find out whether their tie with either Leeds or Northampton is set to be screened live.

The chances are it will.

“We will find out Monday morning, but we hope it will,” Baldwin added.

“I think you get £75,000 for being shown live and the match will definitely be all-ticket.”

To guarantee a ticket for the game, fans who go to Histon this Saturday to see the Stutes game against Kettering will receive a voucher be guaranteed an FA Cup ticket.