A former semi-professional footballer and lifelong supporter of Ipswich Town, who grew up and lives in Maidstone, has said how much he is looking forward to seeing his two sides face off against each other.
Steve Ward has spoken of how he "didn't listen" to the rest of the FA Cup draw after he heard his two teams were going to be facing one another.
Mr Ward has strong ties to both clubs – having been a lifelong supporter of Ipswich Town – while also playing against them in pre-season friendlies when he was a footballer.
He has played alongside former Town stars such as Jason Dozzell, Mark Brennan, Adam Tanner, John Kennedy and Neil and David Gregory when he was at Canvey Island.
He also has links to Maidstone United, having spent two years as a player and assistant manager at the Kent-based club, going to games to support his local side.
Mr Ward said: "When we were watching the fourth-round draw we were hoping for a London-based Premier League club, but when I saw Ipswich come out, I was shouting at the TV for Maidstone's ball number to come out.
"When I saw it, that was it for me, I didn't listen to the rest of the draw – I was bouncing around like a kid. It was just amazing to get that draw."
Mr Ward says that every weekend or midweek game is spent watching either Ipswich or Maidstone with his son, daughter and dad, who all go to games together.
He added: "It's a once in a lifetime draw, we get to see our local side, play at Portman Road, against our team, the two teams I'm most passionate about on the same pitch."
Mr Ward is hoping the game will be a sell out, with Maidstone fans flocking to Suffolk to see their side in the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history, and Town fans turning out to support the team as they have done all season.
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