Ks Hit The Road, In Search Of The Skies

HAYDEN BIRD knows all about spreading his wings – but admits even he will be alien to a gruelling week on his travels this week.

- Jon Couch

Bird’s Kingstonian first took to the road last night for a 400mile round trip to Cheshire to take on League Two side Macclesfield Town in the FA Cup this afternoon.

On their return, they’re back on the team coach again 48 hours later, this time for a trip south to take on Blackfield & Langley in the FA Trophy – putting another 160 miles on the clock!

It’s a journey which not only sees the Isthmian Premier side break a 20-year duck in the world’s most famous cup competition, but also revive memories of the club’s proud FA Trophy exploits in the late 90s where they won back-to-back success under Geoff Chapple.

Bird, for one, sees the rigours of a cup experience as a compliment to the progress made by his Kingstonian side but, at the same time, believe FA chiefs should show more sympathy to the plight of successful part-timers.