Ritchie ready to pit his wits in fifth round

Jan 29 2008 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

ANDY RITCHIE might once have played for Chelsea – now he’s looking forward to pitting his wits against them as a manager.

Town’s forthcoming FA Cup fifth-round foes were one of a number of clubs the Town boss had talks with before finally leaving Manchester United for Brighton in a £500,000 transfer in October 1980.

The FA Cup holders were a big club then, but are even bigger now, and Ritchie admitted: “We’ve got a massive task ahead, but a really exciting one.

“We said after beating Oldham that we wanted a big Premier League club, and we’ve got one. It would have been nice to have been at home, but we’re certainly not moaning!

“For myself and the players, it’s a fantastic chance to play at one of the game’s great venues against some world-class performers.

“For the fans, it’s a great opportunity for a fantastic day or weekend away, and I’ve no doubt they’ll back us in numbers.”

Town took 4,581 followers to Oldham, and when they played at Chelsea in the third round two seasons ago, losing 2-1 to a late Eidur Gudjohnsen goal, they were supported by 6,112 in a 41,650 attendance.

The club pocketed an estimated £300,000 from that match, and Ritchie added: “I’m sure the chairman won’t be complaining at having to go down there again!”

Town have already scooped £167,000 from the FA prize fund and television and radio pay-outs, and have their share of the gate receipts so far to come.

The eight fifth-round winners will earn £120,000 apiece from the competition pot.

Ritchie was made to wait to learn Town’s fate as Ray Wilkins, his old Manchester United teammate, drew the home sides and Jimmy Case, who he played alongside at Brighton, the away in the draw made at the FA’s Soho Square headquarters.

Town, who were No3, were the last of the 16 balls picked in a draw which sent Barnsley to Liverpool and gave Sheffield United a home meeting with Middlesbrough.

For the neutral, the pick of the eight matches is Manchester United versus Arsenal.