Ben Milnes, captain of Tamworth, is set to stay calm as he guides his underdog team into a clash with the dominant Tottenham tomorrow.

This level-headed approach is likely expected by those who witnessed his unique post-training rituals on Thursday night.

Man in black athletic wear speaks to camera.

3

Captain Ben Milnes is optimistic about a positive result against Premier League’s Tottenham
Soccer player juggling a ball during a training session.

3

Milnes notes that his unique recovery method boosts his energy on the fieldCredit: Roland Leon

As the mercury plummeted to -4C, Milnes finished training on the frosty pitch at The Lamb in Tamworth — diving into a wheely-bin filled with icy water for a five-minute recovery!

The 33-year-old insists this is an effective way to ready himself for the biggest match of his career, aiding his body’s recovery.

While Premier League Spurs utilize state-of-the-art cryotherapy chambers at their plush Hotspur Way training facility, Milnes must contend with a more rudimentary setup consisting of a bin and a couple of ice packs.

As temperatures continued to fall after Tamworth’s solitary training session of the week, Milnes told SunSport: “It feels warmer when it’s this cold outside.”

“I do this after every Thursday night training session in preparation for a game.”

Many see tiny Tamworth, with 2,500-1 odds of winning the FA Cup, as having little chance of pulling off one of the greatest upsets in history tomorrow.

Nonetheless, the part-time Lambs are determined to put on a display and make Spurs chairman Daniel Levy nervous.

Milnes is driven to inspire Tamworth as they seek to outfox their rivals, hoping to turn Aussie Ange Postecoglou’s ambitions for the FA Cup into a nightmare.

FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS

As a midfielder, he easily could have pursued a professional cricket career rather than aiming to disrupt Spurs on a challenging pitch.

His brother, a talented cricketer, will be at The Lamb cheering him on.

Non-league match temporarily halted as players withdraw over safety worries about advertising boards

Milnes shared: “My younger brother Matt Milnes plays cricket for Yorkshire.

“He represented the England Lions during their tour to Australia a few years ago.

“He could have continued playing for England, but he’s recently faced injuries, including a stress fracture in his back, which has resulted in limited playing time lately.”

Milnes himself was an excellent cricketer in his youth, and choosing between the two sports was a tough decision.

He recalls: “My dad, Mark, played both football and cricket, and I grew up engaged in both sports.

“I competed for Notts Academy and the Midlands youth teams, which was pretty competitive.

“However, around the age of 14 or 15, I had to decide which path to take, and I opted for football, while Matt chose cricket. I found cricket a bit too slow for my liking.

“My brother will be here for the match. He attended our Boxing Day game against Forest Green as well. I try to support him in his matches as often as I can.

“One of the highlight games he played was when they won the Twenty20 final against Kent a few years ago — unfortunately, I was playing for Buxton at that time and was unable to attend.

A sports manager sits and points.

3

Tamworth’s manager Andy Peaks anticipates a possible upsetCredit: Roland Leon

“I haven’t had the opportunity to attend many of his significant matches, but the key games are often broadcast, so I can generally keep up with him.”

Milnes, who co-manages a financial planning firm with his wife, says he is currently living his dream after winning three consecutive football titles in the last two and a half years.

He commented: “I’ve achieved three titles in a row, which is quite an accomplishment.

“I secured the Northern League Premier Division with Buxton, then joined Tamworth, where we won the Southern League Premier Division title, followed by the National League North trophy.

“I don’t expect to maintain that winning streak in the National League this year.

“However, surviving relegation would be just as rewarding as clinching another title.

“Considering the teams we face, along with their resources, budgets, and players with league experience, it would be a tremendous achievement.

“But defeating Spurs would feel just as gratifying as winning three titles in a mere 90 minutes!

“This is certainly the most important match I’ve ever played — although its significance is sometimes overshadowed by the league, which is critical for us.”