Jake Eggleton’s FA Cup dream tie is what makes the competition magic – Charlton boss Ben Garner

Charlton Athletic manager Ben Garner says that Jake Eggleton’s chance to play at The Valley is exactly what makes the FA Cup such a “special” competition.

The 24-year-old Coalville Town centre-back got his first Addicks season-ticket at the age of five.

Eggleton had one year on Charlton’s books before being released, going on to sign for West Ham United.

He told the South London Press that he had been told he would be fined if he celebrated any goals scored by the South Londoners tomorrow.

“Not by me he won’t,” laughed Garner. “Fantastic story – this is why the FA Cup is the greatest cup competition in the world.

“Nowhere else do you get these type of stories. The romanticism of the cup is special.

Picture: Chris Simpson

“I had it the other way around last season at Swindon, when we got the opportunity to play Manchester City in the third round – the memories that helps create for the players and supporters there.

“We hope everyone at Coalville, their players and staff, enjoy the day, but ultimately we want to win the game and make sure we progress to the next round.

“It will be a huge tie for Coalville. I watched their game yesterday against Notts County [a 3-2 away win the fourth qualifying round] and they had a great following and they are a really well-organised team. I give them massive credit – their defensive organisation in that game was excellent. And they counter-attacked really well. To score three goals against a team who are top of the National League takes some doing.

“We’ll be full of respect for them and certainly won’t take them lightly off the back of what I’ve seen.”