HEYBRIDGE Swifts travel to Exeter on today for their first appearance in the first round of the FA Cup for 15 years.

It is a huge achievement from Jody Brown’s men that they have made it this far.

The team have played seven games in the competition so far. Seven.

If any of the Premier League or Championship teams go on to win this year’s trophy after entering in the third round, they will only have had to win six games. That is the scale of the achievement.

Exeter are flying high near the top of League Two and will provide a huge challenge for the Swifts who head into the game having played eight games in four weeks.

It is a great chance for the team to test themselves against league opposition.

But the magic of the FA Cup means that anything can happen, and everyone connected with the club can head into Sunday’s game dreaming of what might be.

The club has never reached the second round of the historic competition, and few would expect them to make it this year, in a clash where they are rank outsiders.

But why not?

One thing is for certain, the 350 fans travelling down to the South West will enjoy the day to the fullest, and so they should.

Following a non-league club isn’t always glamourous.

In fact, it very rarely is, but days like this one should be savoured, regardless of the result, because they don’t come around too often.

Swifts fans know that I’m sure the rest of the town and the district will be right behind them today as they look to make history