LOAN ranger Billy Kee is dreaming of putting his name into FA Cup folklore tomorrow – and says a winning goal for Accrington Stanley against Fulham would be something else.
The 19-year-old, who is on loan with Stanley from Leicester City, is already making a name for himself in the game and is established in the Northern Ireland U21 set-up.
But he says tomorrow’s dream date with the Premier League outfit at the Crown Ground is going to be so special - and whatever the result the occasion will top anything he has done in his fledgling career.
“It’s definitely the biggest game I have been involved in,” said Kee. “I have never been around anything like this before and I am really looking forward to it.
“The excitement is building up and there is a real buzz about the place. I really hope we can get the result – and you never know what will happen.”
Kee admits that he has matured quickly and experienced much more than than many senior players as Stanley’s early season off-field problems failed to take the shine off a campaign that has seen the Reds’ stock rise in League Two, “We have been through one heck of a lot this season,” added the Leicester-born hot shot.
“And it is fair to say that it has been a massive experience for me and for all the rest of the lads.
“I suppose it is better to have this sort of experience when you are a young player like me rather than having to go through it later in your career.”
Just two months ago, Stanley were on the brink as they faced a winding-up order over an unpaid tax bill.
And Kee admits that was an interesting experience for all concerned, even though he maintained his concentration on the football.
“It was tough,” he said. “But you don’t fear for your future, you take everything step by step.
“You can’t think too much about what happens off the pitch. At the end of the day I was still coming off the bench for Accrington and also going off to Ireland and that is really massive for a kid my age.
“I am only 19 and getting regular games. I know a lot of lads aged 22 or 23 who are not playing regularly so I know that I am lucky.”
Kee is an example of Stanley’s young blood and with a squad average age of just 21, manager John Coleman believes his boys can rise to the occasion.
“They are young and keen and fresh,” said Coleman. “They believe they can take anyone on and maybe that is because they are so young. I don’t think they have been affected by the cynicism of the game yet like older folk like Jimmy Bell and myself.”
Stanley are aware that any slip in standards from Fulham can result in a headline-grabbing upset – and Kee would love to be the man scoring the sort of winning goal that would capture the opening credits of TV programmes for decades.
“Of course it would be a dream to score a winning FA Cup goal,” he said. “But it would be great for anyone to get the winner.”
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