IN THREE years David Hamilton has gone from managing mail to managing Rochdale - and tomorrow could be a red letter day for him.

The rookie boss has hopes of clinching the Dale hot seat full-time if he can deliver an FA Cup shock at second division Blackpool tomorrow.

And victory would be doubly sweet for Hamilton as it was Blackpool who pipped Rochdale for the final play-off spot last season, going on to clinch promotion.

Former Rovers and Burnley player Hamilton was a postman three years ago involved in non-League football with Accrington Stanley and Great Harwood.

But then Dale manager Graham Barrow literally plucked him off the streets and offered him the job of youth team coach at Spotland when former Claret Jimmy Robson linked up with Stan Ternent at Turf Moor.

Now he is Dale's caretaker boss following the departure of Steve Parkin to Barnsley and aiming to make the most of it.

"I have been in charge for six games now, we have won two, drawn three and lost one which I don't think is too bad a record," he said.

"I am enjoying it. I have changed things around a bit but at the moment we are suffering because we can't kill teams off."

It's a far cry from his two years as a postman following the end of his playing career at Burnley.

"I loved my time at both Burnley and Blackburn," he said. "I had a great six years at Blackburn playing under Howard Kendal and Bobby Saxton although I was plagued by injuries."

The 41-year-old was at Ewood Park between 1980 and '85 making more than 100 league appearances when Rovers were in the Second Division.

He had come from Sunderland and went to Cardiff, Wigan and Chester before landing at Turf Moor in 1990.

"In some ways I wish I had gone to Burnley straight from Blackburn but it was not the done thing."

He came during the reign of Frank Casper and scored a great goal on his debut - a screamer from 20 yards against Stockport in the Rumbelows Cup.

"I only played a couple more games and then in the next round of the cup we drew Nottingham Forest and after a clash with Stuart Pearce I ended up being out for about four months."

He made 11 league starts at Burnley where, he admits, he was again plagued by injuries but played a part in helping Burnley clinch the Fourth Division Championship in 1992.

He went into non-League, being joint manager of Accrington Stanley with Jim McCluskie and then he was assistant manager at Great Harwood to Mick Higgins.

"I was still involved but was a postman for around two years as you have got to earn a living.

"I always wanted to get back into football and then Graham Barrow gave me the call to join Rochdale and really, I have never looked back."

Former Chorley boss Barrow parted company with the Spotland outfit and Hamilton admitted: "I was sorry as Graham is a good friend of mine and I still speak to him regularly."

'Hammy' was then in charge for one game - a 1-1 draw with Brighton - before Parkin took over at Spotland.

Rochdale are looking to lose the tag of being the longest serving club in the bottom league - more than 30 years.

And Hamilton is hopeful he will be given the chance to help them to get rid of the unwanted record - but first it's the FA Cup.

"We have to take it one game at a time because you never know what will happen," he said. "But obviously I would relish the opportunity."

And he is glad a certain Brett Ormerod will not be facing the Dale after the former Stanley player made his £1.75m move from Blackpool to Premier League Southampton.

"I know the lad and I wish him well. It is a great move for him. I'm not really thinking that they will be without Brett as I am sure they have someone lined up, I am just pleased for Brett.

"With or without Brett it is a massive game for us and there will be a great atmosphere."

Rochdale have their own 'Brett' in Kevin Townson, a striker they picked up from the local leagues and who, at 18, has scored ten goals this season and is attracting interest from Liverpool and Bolton.

They want to hold onto him but if they get through to the third round it could give him the big stage to perform on to attract even more attention.

Rochdale drew Liverpool in the third round in the early 1990s and were beaten 7-0 but current assistant manager Jamie Hoyland, the former Burnley player who joined Dale as youth team coach last season, would like to draw a lower league club if Dale progress.

"I want Sheffield United. I am Sheffield born and bred and I would love to beat them!" he said.

"But first I want to get one over Blackpool's Paul Simpson.

"He was my best man, we were together at Manchester City, we speak all the time and it would be nice to beat him!"