Lee Allinson: Hemel Hempstead boss leans on father Ian for Wigan FA Cup tie

Hemel reached the first round proper with a 2-1 victory over Yeovil Town from the division above, thanks to goals by captain Kyle Ajayi and Finley Wilkinson.

It is the Hertfordshire club’s first appearance in the main draw since 2014, when they also faced north-west opposition and lost 3-1 to Bury.

“These times don’t often come around – in my dad’s career in management, in 30 years he probably got there five or six times,” said Lee.

“We’re going to have a right go at it (against Wigan). The one thing we’ll do is be difficult to break down and if we can stay in the game, I firmly believe we’ll get a chance.

“It might be a chance to win us the game, it might be a chance for a consolation. On Saturday we’ll find that out, but nothing will surprise me with this group (of players), they’re a good group.

“The league is non-stop and you’re never able to enjoy a victory because you’ve got one (more game) round the corner, so this week is just about enjoying it, having some fun, doing things properly and then applying ourselves the best we can on Saturday and trying to get the result.”

Lee had plenty of opportunity to observe his father’s approach to management while growing up.

“From [when he was] five years of age, I had to take Lee to every single game I went to as a manager so he was in every changing room,” said dad Ian, who also played at Wembley in the 1988 Full Members’ Cup final for Luton against Reading.

“If he wasn’t in the changing room, he was banned from grounds because he wouldn’t put the ball down, he was smashing it against walls, smashing it against windows, and he’d come home filthy and go to school (next day) with dirty legs.”