Shaun Gale: ‘I’d love Hawks to get one of the big boys like we had

Shaun Gale pictured with Morgana the hawk prior to Hawks' FA Cup first round tie with Millwall in 2006. Pic: Paul Jacobs.

The current Gosport Borough manager was in the Westleigh Park hotseat when they reached the fourth round of competition back in 2007/08.

Gale guided the Hawks to victories over EFL pair Notts County and Swansea City on their way to booking a date with Premier League giants Liverpool.

That was where the remarkable run ended - but only after the visitors took the lead twice before going down 5-2 at Anfield in front of 42,566 supporters.

'Unbelievable experience' - Hawks manager Shaun Gale (right) and Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez on the touchline at Anfield in 2008.

The Hawks are a win away from reaching the third round this term - the stage when Championship and Premier League clubs enter the hat - for just the second time in their 22-year history.

Paul Doswell's side know victory at two-divisions lower Marine live on BT Sport this Sunday could mean a tie with another member of English football’s elite.

And Gale, who was part of the BBC Radio Solent commentary team for the Hawks' win over Cray Valley in the previous round, is wishing his old club well on their quest to write another memorable chapter in their FA Cup history.

‘It’s been good (Hawks’ FA Cup run),' said Gale.

‘They didn’t play great against Cray but they got the job done and they won.

'It’s not about performances, it’s about winning and getting through.

‘They’ve got another opportunity now against Marine away, it’s a game that they can win, and you get to the third round and anything’s possible.

‘I wish them well. I’d love them to have a run like we had and get one of the big boys - it’s an unbelievable experience.'

Current boss Paul Doswell is no stranger to facing a Premier League side in the FA Cup, either.

The Hawks manager took the National League U's to the fifth round in 2017 when Arsène Wenger's Arsenal were 2-0 victors at Gander Green Lane.

‘You need that little bit of luck along the way,’ said Gale.

‘In the last round, they didn’t not deserve to win against Cray - that would be doing them a disservice, they just didn’t play as well as they can do.

‘But you can’t always play well.

‘I wish them all well. The chairman (Derek Pope), I know him well, he’s been there a long time and I wish them every success.

‘I hope they go on a great run.'

Shaun Gale: ‘I’d love Hawks to get one of the big boys like we had – it was an unbelievable experience’