Ashley Vickers is beginning to regret promising to wear a mankini should minnows Blackfield & Langley create FA Cup history today.

The Watersiders boss had a taste of the media spotlight a decade ago, when he helped Dagenham & Redbridge produce a succession of FA Cup upsets during his days as a no-nonsense centre-half.

But that media interest was nothing compared to that generated by the You Tube footage of him tackling a mankini-clad pitch invader 18 months ago.

The footage went viral and Vickers, who was playing for Dorchester Town, was the subject of more media attention than he experienced as an FA Cup giantkiller.

Following the excitement of Blackfield’s win at Sholing in the last round, Vickers promised to don a mankini himself should his side become the first Sydenhams Wessex League outfit to reach the first round proper. It is a promise he will not be allowed to break if his team win at Hastings United this afternoon. “It’s something I’m beginning to regret,” he smiled. “It won’t be a pretty sight!”

Full story in today's Daily Echo