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Harrogate Railway's FA Cup match against Mansfield Town on Sunday December 2nd was one of the biggest ever staged at their tiny Station View ground in Starbeck. The match was broadcast on BBC Radio York and even shown LIVE on BBC 1.

Railway's first round victory over Droylesden, from the Blue Square Premier, followed hot on the heels of their win over near neighbours Harrogate Town in the 4th qualifying round.

The victory against Droylesden, from the Blue Square Premier, equalled the club's best ever performance in the FA Cup. In 2002 Railway exceeded all expectation when they made it through to the 2nd round. Their game, against Bristol City, was the biggest match in their history.

"These players here, I truly believe a lot of them can go on and play at a higher level and I've been saying that to them at each round. You know every round we've played a team above us and I've said just trust in your ability, trust in your courage and it'll see you through and they've done it!"

He says there's no secret to the teams success.

"It's there for everybody to see, hard work, determination with a lot of skill and courage thrown in, it can win you matches, it's a potent force."

"As I said before the draw was made, a home tie in any round of the Cup gives you a fighting chance and that's all you can ask for. I'm absolutely delighted, I'm as pleased as I could be for the players and the club.

"I'm delighted for the supporters. In any local derby the bragging rights are up for grabs and we grabbed them".

Brockie admits that as the game against Harrogate Town was drawing to a close, the best he was hoping for was a draw. One of his players, Richard Marshall, had been sent off and the final 15 minutes looked like an uphill struggle "we just said to them (the players) leave one man up front and let's get to the replay".

As it turned out a replay wasn't needed. In a cruel twist of fate, Railway's winner came in the form of an own goal five minutes from time by Harrogate Town defender Chris Ellerker.

"I feel so much for that lad, he hasn't put a foot wrong all game has Chris Ellerker, and to score an own goal in a derby is... well... I'm delighted to go through but I do feel for that lad."

Harrogate Railway's FA Cup tradition

When Harrogate Railway reached the 2nd round of the FA Cup in 2002, they were the lowest ranking club left in the competition. Their opponents, Bristol City, were riding high at the top of League One. In fact Railway, who played in the Northern Counties East League, were the lowest ranked team to reach this stage of the FA Cup for almost 30 years. The previous team to do it was Coventry Sporting in 1975.

Although it was a fairy tale tie, sadly there was no fairy tail ending. Bristol City won the game 3-1 but the match was still the biggest - to date - in Railway's history.

The club had surprised many people by deciding to stage the game at Station View. Three huge temporary stands were erected to increase the capacity of the ground and such was the glamour of the tie the match was switched from Saturday afternoon to Sunday so it could be televised.

Sky TV beamed the game world-wide and the day lived up to expectations.

Before a sell-out crowd of 3,500, Bristol City were made to fight for their 3-1 win. Railway's Steve Davey scored with 17 minutes to go to make it 2-1, but an injury-time goal for Bristol City finally sealed the match.

A short history of Harrogate Railway

As the club's name suggests, Harrogate Railway owes its origins to the railways. The club started life in 1935 as Starbeck LNER. It was founded by railwaymen from the London North Eastern depot at Starbeck. To begin with the club played in the Harrogate League. In 1946 they won the British Railways National Cup Final, a success which prompted the club to borrow £1,500 from the LNER to buy the Station View site and secure a permanent home. This was agreed provided 300 rail workers paid 1d a week to finance repayments - more than enough subscribed!

At the end of the fifties the loco sheds were being run down and finally closed in 1959. Where there had been 1,000 railway workers at Starbeck now men were to being transferred to York or Darlington. Finances were badly affected as many members and players had to leave the area to find work elsewhere. The club only survived with the support of the people of Starbeck.