It is being billed as the biggest game in the club's 111-year* history and Seasiders boss Stuart Boardley admits he is relishing pitting his wits against a higher level side.

Felixstowe & Walton United take on AFC Telford in the second round of the FA Trophy at their Goldstar Ground on Dellwood Avenue tomorrow, with a 3pm kick off.

Seasiders fans will be hoping for a giantkilling against the National League North side, which many involved believing the tie eclipses their 2-1 FA Cup qualifying round win over Bishop's Stortford in September, 2016.

"It is a privilege to be at the helm for a game like this," said Boardley. "We are all looking forward to it, the management team, the players, the club staff and I'm sure all the fans.

"These are the set of games you want to be involved in. That's why you do all the work throughout the year and through the week leading up to the game on Saturday."

Although the 36-year-old enjoyed some big games as player with Torquay United, and impressive cup runs with Leiston, Boardley is relishing this test.

He said: "Without doubt it is certainly thee biggest game I have had as a manager and level-wise I looking forward to pitting my wits against a Conference North side, which is the highest I have managed against so I'm really looking forward to it.

"It will be a chance for us all, players managers and staff to test ourselves against a level two side.

"It will be different on Saturday as a manager not being able to influence the game as a player can, as I will be on the sidelines wanting to kick every ball with the lads.

Among the stand out games for Boardley, who went to Torquay after failing to break into the Ipswich Town first team under George Burley, was his league debut as a 19-year-old against Peterborough United in League One, and playing at grounds such as Hillsborough and Hull City's KC Stadium

Boardley, who recovered from a serious car crash as a teenager while at Ipswich Academy, to go on and become a professional footballer, said: "From a managerial point of view it will be interesting to see if I get as high as I did as a player for the big game.

"Playing for Torquay was the best time in my football career when I was an established first team player.

"It was unbelievable living down there and playing with such big characters like Adebayo Akinfenwa."

Boardley went to play for Sudbury, Long Melford, Leiston and Felixstowe before moving into management with the Blues and now the Seasiders.

One of the things experience has taught Boardley is staying level-headed and consistent and as thrilled as he and the club are about the tie, he is not getting carried away and has kept his players' feet on the training ground.

"Some people fall into the trap of putting too much importance on one game,: said Boardley who took over as Felixstowe manager in 2019. "The players need consistency and we try not to get too high when we win, or too low and down in the dumps if we lose them.

"We prepare slightly different for each game depending on the opposition but we trained as usual Thursday night after playing on Tuesday so it is pretty much business as usual.

"We sent scouts to have Telford watched but they have a new management team in so that's all out the window anyhow."

That new management duo is Paul Carden and assistant Carl Baker a 38-year-old midfielder who has also signed as a player.

They were appointed at the beginning of the week in a bid to move Telford off the bottom of the Conference North division, and progress in the Trophy.

The Bucks' new bosses are clearly hoping to make an good first impression and the squad have trained twice at Lilleshall this week are travelling down today and staying overnight in order to be fresh for the game.

After beating Witham on penalties in the Velocity Cup on Tuesday, the Seasiders trained as usual last night, working on set plays and positioning.

New signing Sam Ford, who now has international clearance after joining from an Iceland side, scored against Witham and is in contention to start in place of the injured Zak Brown, who misses out due a groin injury.

Boardley said: "Hopefully Sam can fill that void and offer us something a bit different too."

Felixstowe also have Joe White back from suspension for the tie which has season ticket sales soar. All 200 seats have been sold, but entry on the day is still possible via the turnstile on thee day for the 2,000 capacity stadium

"That is great for those wanting to come down and give us a look. We will put on a performance we can all be proud of," said Boardley who has been inundated with good luck messages from club officials, fans, and sponsors, as excitement mounts.

There is even a chance that assistant manger Andy Crump will get excited if (when) the Seasiders score.

A clip of Crump politely applauding while all around were losing their heads with joy after Henry Barley scored a cracking left-footed goal against Peterborough Sport in the last round, went viral.

Boardley said: "I did get quite animated for that goal but Andy is the calm one of the two which is a good thing because he can take a step back and be the calming influence.

"Maybe I can show him how to celebrate at bit more if we score," joked Boardley.

*Although Felixstowe and Walton United were only formed in 2000, the origins of the club go back to 1890.

The original Felixstowe Town were formed in 1890, with Walton United following five years later. Felixstowe Town had been renamed Felixstowe Port & Town due to their sponsorship by the Port, until that ended in 1999/2000 and they merged with Walton for the new club to play at Dellwood Avenue.