A stakeholder in a south Essex football club has sent a message to Dagenham & Redbridge co-owner and Britain's Got Talent judge KSI ahead of their FA Cup clash.
Barry Hearn, the veteran sports promoter and investor in Brentwood Town, warned KSI that football is "the worst business in the world" but promised it will also deliver memories to last a lifetime.
Brentwood will host Dagenham & Redbridge in the FA Cup third qualifying round, with the BBC broadcasting the match.
Mr Hearn said: "This is a massive game and I think the Manchester City saga sort of exemplifies the difference between professional sport and amateur.
"Dagenham coming over, obviously KSI with his involvement there.
"I mean, look at some of their players, in particular their centre forward (Andy Carroll) who’s rather famous.
"Yeah, it’s a bit scary, but then you look, the bigger picture is the excitement of being involved in the day."
Hearn wished KSI well as a football owner—but not in Saturday’s tie.
He added: "KSI will have a dream for where he wants to see Dagenham & Redbridge.
"I wish him all success, not on Saturday, but in his following his dream and his love.
"It’ll cost him money.
"He will get abuse, but he will have one or two memories that will repay him back the rest of his life."
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Reflecting on his own football memories, Mr Hearn said the FA Cup offers something truly special.
He said: "The whole principle of the FA Cup is what sport should be about.
"There are no barriers to entry.
"It doesn’t matter who you are, whether you’re Manchester City or whether you’re Brentwood Town.
"It creates memories that you’ll never ever forget."
Hearn recalled Leyton Orient, which he owned for nearly two decades, playing Arsenal in the FA Cup.
He said: "When Orient equalised against Arsenal in the FA Cup (in 2011). It’s one of the greatest days of my life."
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