IT’S a family affair tomorrow as North Leigh make their debut in the fourth qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup at Eastleigh.

The links between the two clubs run deep after local businessman Stewart Donald, who played for the Millers for ten years and still lives in Hanborough, bought the Hampshire club in 2012.

The Donald family have a 20-year association with North Leigh, making the tie a mouthwatering occasion for chairman Peter King.

“It’s uncanny the way things have worked out,” he said.

“On the morning of the draw, I texted Stewart saying ‘I bet we get Eastleigh’.

“Stewart played for the club for ten years, first for the under 18s and then mainly for the reserves in the Hellenic League days.

“His father Ian has been a staunch supporter of the club for many years and he and his wife Jan are presidents.

“I’ve been a friend of the family for 20 years now and they’ve always been great supporters of North Leigh.”

While Donald’s position as chairman at the Vanarama National League club rules out any formal involvement with North Leigh, he has maintained links with his local side.

His business, Bridle Insurance, who have offices overlooking the Millers’ ground, currently have their logo splashed over the North Leigh shirts and also have plans to bring a coachload of employees to Saturday’s match from Oxfordshire.

When the draw was announced last week, Donald was left dumbfounded.

“I still can’t believe it, but that’s the FA Cup for you,” he told The Non-League Paper.

“It will always throw up stories but it will take a lot to beat this.”

With 70 places separating the two sides in the football pyramid, King admitted victory for North Leigh on Saturday would be beyond his wildest dreams.

He added: “It’s the biggest game in the club’s history.

“It would outweigh everything we’ve achieved before now even if we could just get a draw and bring them back to our place.”