As Needham Market gets ready to be sprinkled with FA Cup stardust tomorrow, chairman Mark Morsley admits he misses the magic of being in the Bloomfields dugout.

Morsley moved upstairs at the end of last season, making way for Richard Wilkins, who leads the Marketmen into battle at home to Southern Premier Division side Chesham United, on Saturday.

Morsley spent almost two decades as a successful manager on the Suffolk and north Essex non-league scene and helped Needham reach the Fourth Qualifying Round in October 2013, his side losing 1-0 at home to Cambridge United and narrowly missing out on a potential money-spinning tie with Sheffield United.

Tomorrow, Morsley will be watching from his new position as Wilkins attempts to steer the team into the next round and admits to being a little bit envious of his former assistant manager.

Asked if he was missing being a manager, Morsley said: “I think I am to a degree, it’s early days, but I spent 19 years as a manager, which is a long while.

“But, from a Needham point-of-view, we have got the best manager in the region at this football club, I tell that to anyone who wants to listen.”

Wilkins’ talent is not in question, however, he has endured a difficult start to life as Needham manager, and a victory today, along with the prize money that comes with it, would be a welcome fillip for the former Bury Town and Leiston boss.

Needham have taken eight points from their opening seven Bostik Premier games and have lost three times on their home turf already.

Morsley explained: “We have been a bit unlucky with injuries this season.

“Jamie Griffiths, who we signed in the summer, (from Long Melford) is now back getting fit in the reserves while another striker, John Sands, who has also been injured, got his first 15 minutes of the season under his belt in midweek.”

On the prospect of Cup progress, the former Leiston and AFC Sudbury manager added: “It’s the FA Cup and tie is worth £4,500, need I say more?

“It’s a competition everyone always wants to be involved in and from our point-of-view it always presents a good chance to try and reach the first round.”