Graham Deakin’s pride as Stafford Rangers smash their way to FA Cup history

Delighted boss Graham Deakin hailed one of the nights of his life after guiding five-star Stafford Rangers into the FA Cup first round proper.

Stafford reached the first round for the first time in 20 years with a thumping 5-0 replay victory over National League Gateshead in front of a bumper Marston Road crowd.

Rangers were ruthless in front of goal as they booked a lucrative home tie against League Two Grimsby Town. And Deakin admitted the triumph ranked among the finest moments of his life.

He told the Express & Star: “Oh yeah, 100 per cent. We had three objectives at the start of the season and one of them was to get into the first round proper of the FA Cup and we’ve ticked that box.

“It just gives you a hunger now to go and win the next one as well.

“I am very proud. Very proud of that group of players and proud of the football club for what they’ve done.

“I felt a little bit disappointed that we never got it over the line last Saturday. That fuelled me and fuelled the lads to go and put it right. They delivered an unbelievable performance.”

More than 3,100 supporters roared Rangers towards a famous triumph. Scott Bakkor and Darrhyl Mason put Stafford in control with two first-half goals before Mitch Clarke, Joe Dunne and Jack Birch completed a memorable rout.

Attention now turns to Grimsby - ties to be played over the weekend of November 7 - with Deakin eager to see his side take another scalp and extend their remarkable cup run which began in the extra preliminary round.

“When we perform like that here at Marston Road, have the fan base that we’ve got, and the lads are playing the way they’re playing, you’re always going to fancy your chances,” he added.

“We know it’ll be difficult, we’re not delusional. We’ll do our homework, have reports on them and have them scouted, and we’ll go into it full of confidence.”

The night was particularly special for long-serving defender and captain Andy Burns, who marked his 600th career appearance. Remarkably, his 500th appearance, against Atherton Collieries in 2024, had also ended in a 5-0 victory.

“It’s just a little bit surreal,” he said. “I am just trying to enjoy the moment because you don’t get nights like this very often. It was an absolute pleasure to be a part of.

“The whole occasion itself couldn’t have gone any better. It was important that the focus was obviously on the game and the occasion for the club, because that’s the most important thing.

“I don’t really like the spotlight. But now that the game’s over, we’ve won 5-0, yeah, I am over the moon to have been lucky enough to make 600 career appearances.”