Peterborough Sports boss has greatest admiration for opposite number as they look to spring an FA Cup shock

Jimmy Dean says he has the greatest admiration for Ian Culverhouse going into Saturday’s Fourth Qualifying Round tie at The Walks.

The Peterborough Sports boss has overseen a staggering amount of success during his six years at Lincoln Road – but feels what he has achieved pales into significance with what his opposite number has accomplished as a player and a manager.

“What Ian has achieved in the game as a player, coach and a manager is incredible,” said Dean.

“I’ve got the greatest admiration for him. If there’s one person I’d like to learn from in the game then it would be him.

“I know Gashy (Michael Gash) is very close to him. I asked him to contact Ian and see if I could go and shadow him for a couple of weeks to help me with my own development, then we drew them in the cup.

“If they beat us, you never know one day he might let me but if we were to do the unthinkable and get some kind of result then he’ll probably be glad to see the back of me.

“To win back-to-back promotions like they did from the level we are currently at just doesn’t happen. It was an incredible achievement.

“He’s done a great job there and everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet on the pitch. He sticks to his principles and just wants to focus on football.”

Dean was an interested spectator during Lynn’s 1-1 National League draw against Barnet last week.

“I came away quite disheartened after watching that game,” he admitted.

“It really made me realise the size of the task facing us. They are well organised, moved and kept the ball so well and played fantastic football.

“They were in full control of the game after going behind early on and created so many chances."

Dean has worked miracles with The Turbines who have always found themselves living in the shadows of their more illustrious city rivals in the Championship.

After starting the decade as a Step 7 outfit, Sports now find themselves top of the pile at Step 3 with former Linnets Michael Gash and Ryan Fryatt spearheading their latest quest for promotion.

But despite winning 10 of their opening 11 games in the Southern Central Premier, Dean feels his players have a proverbial mountain to climb on Saturday.

“It’s a day out for us,” said Dean, whose side are chasing their first-ever appearance in the First Round Proper.

“We will go there and give it everything we’ve got and ultimately it’s a free shot for us on the day.

“King’s Lynn are a full-time professional outfit playing two leagues higher and the step between them and ourselves is massive.

“We played AFC Fylde at the same stage a couple of seasons ago and lost 6-1. It made me realise the huge gulf between the two levels.

“We are certainly not going there to make the numbers up and will try to have our moments, but we’ve got to get the ball first.

“I was looking at the National League stats and they are the second best side when it comes to possession of the ball, so that tells you everything that you need to know.”

The winners of tomorrow’s tie will pick up £9,375 while the losers will net £3,125.