Hemel Hempstead Town Aims for FA Cup Upset Against Wigan Athletic
In the 1980s, Ian Allinson made a name for himself by reaching the FA Cup semi-finals with Luton Town and the quarter-finals with Arsenal.
Now, the former midfielder is equally excited about the prospect of his son Lee leading Hemel Hempstead Town in a first-round shock against Wigan Athletic.
The Tudors currently sit fourth in the National League South, three tiers below the 2013 FA Cup winners. They face a challenging match at Wigan's Brick Community Stadium.
However, confidence is on their side, having won four of their last five league matches. Lee has even promised to commemorate a potential advancement to the second round with a tattoo, marking the first time in the club's history they would reach this stage.
Lee has a wealth of experience to draw from, as his father serves as the club's head of football operations and boasts over 30 years in management, most recently with St Albans City from 2016 to 2022.
"We talk three or four times a day, and his experience is invaluable to me," Lee shared with BBC Three Counties Radio. "The good news is that I’m not sharing a bedroom with him on Friday night, so I'm quite pleased about that. The chairman has arranged for me to have a nice single room."
'We’re going to have a right go at it'
Hemel secured their spot in the first round proper with a 2-1 victory over Yeovil Town, a team from a higher division, thanks to goals from captain Kyle Ajayi and Finley Wilkinson.
This marks the Hertfordshire club's first appearance in the main draw since 2014, when they faced Bury and lost 3-1.
Lee reflected on the rarity of such opportunities, saying, "In my dad's 30-year management career, he probably reached this stage five or six times. We’re going to give it our all against Wigan. We plan to be difficult to break down, and if we can stay competitive, I truly believe we’ll get our chance."
He added, "It might be a chance to win the game or just a consolation. Saturday will reveal all, but nothing surprises me with this group; they are a talented team. The league is relentless, making it hard to savor victories as another game is always around the corner. This week is about enjoying the moment, having fun, and preparing ourselves to get the best result we can on Saturday."
Lee has been exposed to his father's management style since childhood. Ian reminisced, "From the age of five, I had to take Lee to every game I managed, so he was always in the changing room. If he wasn’t there, he was banned from the grounds because he would kick the ball against walls and windows, coming home filthy and going to school the next day with dirty legs."
Former Finalist Joins Hemel's Coaching Staff
Hemel Hempstead's coaching team features other notable names as well. Dmitri Kharine, who was in goal for Manchester United's 1994 FA Cup Final win over Chelsea, is now part of Hemel's coaching staff.
Reflecting on the upcoming match against Wigan, Kharine said, "It’s a great ground to play against a professional club. While I would have preferred a home match, we will go there with our heads held high and aim for a positive result."
At 57, Kharine has also played for Celtic and earned 23 caps for Russia, including an Olympic gold medal in football. Lee praised Kharine's contributions, stating, "He has been crucial since I joined the club. His experience is immense, and what he does with the goalkeepers is exceptional. Just look at Michael Johnson's performances since he arrived to see that we have a top-notch goalkeeper coach. We’ll rely on him and my dad for their insights, as they both have extensive experience in the game."
'I Always Wanted to Be a Manager'
Hemel Hempstead is the second-largest town in Hertfordshire, following Watford, and is eager to ascend to the top tier of non-league football. Under Lee's direction, the team has shown promise since he took over from Hendon last December, and he welcomes his father's tactical advice.
"He wants to understand my reasoning, but I typically trust my instincts. Managing is what I’ve always wanted to do, rather than playing," Lee explained. "No one warned me about the stress, but I’m fortunate to have great people around me. This is a fantastic football club, and I’m determined to take them as far as possible. Saturday is going to be an incredible day."
When asked about his son's strengths, Ian remarked, "Lee excels in man management, likely better than I ever did. He frequently communicates with players and managers, and he runs excellent training sessions, always looking to fine-tune our approach."
Hemel aims to bring around 1,000 supporters to Wigan for the match, promising a lively atmosphere should they secure a surprising victory. Regarding his tattoo commitment, Lee stated, "I plan to get a Hemel badge with the score and a picture of my chairman’s face on my leg. I have several tattoos already, but I’ll make room for this one, as it will hold significant meaning for me."