ROSSENDALE'S management have plenty of FA Cup experience - and they are hoping they can transfer it to their team for the fame and the finances.

Dale are in FA Cup second qualifying round action tomorrow when they make the trip to North East Counties side Thackley - and have dreams of, in two games, making the first round proper.

And the management team have plenty of memories to draw on if they do.

Boss Jim McCluskie was a member of the Accrington Stanley side who played Crewe in the first round at Ewood Park in 1992/3.

Unfortunately they lost 6-1 but there were 10,881 watching the match.

"I'd only just joined Stanley and I went straight into that game. Despite the scoreline, it was a good experience playing in front of so many," admitted the boss.

That wasn't the end of his FA Cup trail as he then joined Witton Albion and took part in his 'greatest FA Cup moment so far' when they beat Halifax in the first round.

"I think it was 2-0. For a Conference side to beat a League side then was a great achievement. We enjoyed that moment and it was great to be involved in something like that.

"We then got hammered against Preston at Deepdale. I think it was 6-1. Still we got there."

It didn't end there as Witton faced Bury the year after.

"That was a close game but I think we lost 2-1."

While the Dale chief can recount his FA Cup tales, assistant manager Andy Grimshaw has his own.

"Andy played for Witton the year before me. They were in the equivalent of the UniBond then but made it to the first round proper and lost just 1-0 to Bolton.

"If we get any further I think me and Andy should have the experience of settling a few nerves and calming things down in the dressing room.

"And now with Sky television it is a great chance for the lads to have their five minutes of fame.

"We are three games away from the first round, although they will be damn tough games.

"It would give the players a chance to put themselves and Rossendale on the map though."

But while there is the the glory of the competition, money is now all-important.

Rossendale singled out the FA Cup as 'one to do well in' at the start of the season for rankings and finances.

The UniBond First Division was the first thing on their minds and they have made a remarkable start, leading the way, since their promotion from the NWCL Division One last season.

But their second hope was for an FA Cup run.

They have already played two games in the competition - an extra preliminary round and a first qualifying round and so far picked up £8,500.

They got £1,000 for the preliminary round and £7,500 for the last round. Another £7,500 is on the cards if they beat Thackley and get through to the third qualifying round. The Conference side's join it in the fourth qualifying stage.

"The FA Cup was a big priority for us at the start of the season as we wanted to raise our ranking so we could begin the competition later next season," said McCluskie.

"Saying that though, we have come through the first two rounds and with the money available it has been worth it.

"I think the money will have a big bearing on the games. A lot of managers will be under pressure because of this. They will have to come up with the goods.

"We were worried about our travels costs and the like which have grown since promotion but in one fell swoop we have wiped them out thanks to the FA Cup. The money is a huge incentive."

The one worry for McCluskie is the injury problems. Striker Dave Gray is still sidelined with a long-term problem, Chris Willock has a calf strain, Jerome Fitzgerald has a badly broken arm and Steve Cunningham is the latest casualty with a hamstring strain.

Meanwhile, Dale have made an enquiry about Chorley midfielder Peter Smith while former Burnley centre half Gareth West could go the other way.