FA Cup is all about money to AFC Telford boss

Watson takes charge of a Bucks Cup tie for the first time against his predecessor Rob Smith and his Hednesford side in an all-Skrill Conference North clash.

It's a competition that has brought some fame for Watson in the past – he bossed the Southport side that took on Sheffield Wednesday at home in a live ITV match.

Southport lost 5-2 that day in November 2010, but Watson claims the club banked six-figures for their run and agrees that sort of money could make a difference at Telford.

He said: "It was a great experience for Southport and they pulled in £100,000 from it. I found it all very false, it's not normal for lads at this level to have that exposure.

"If I am bring brutally honest, I am not a great lover of the FA Cup. It takes teams away from the bread and butter, which is the league. That's what I would rather be concentrating on.

"The FA Cup is great, financially, but not if you lose league games and a little bit of focus afterwards. How many teams dip in form after having a good cup run?

"It's good for the players that they get a day in the sun, but it puts you onto so many highs and some can't handle it. For me, it's all about money for the club."

Smith's return to the New Bucks Head on Saturday provides an interesting back-drop to the tie and he counts Watson as a good friend.

They have kept in touch since Watson's Burscough won the Northern Premier League title at Smith's Telford in 2007, but the Bucks were still promoted through the play-offs.

A Conference North play-off semi-final and final followed and Watson believes Smith's reign at the New Bucks Head should be respected.

Watson said: "Rob knows how to win football matches, that's what he has always done.

"I think that both him and his assistant Larry Chambers should be respected immensely for what they achieved here.

"I think they will get a good reception. Rob, Larry and Chris Brindley are all great lads and I am sure there will be a bit of banter."