ACCRINGTON Stanley chairman Andy Holt has labelled the FA Cup his “favourite competition” as the Reds welcome Derby County to the Wham Stadium this afternoon, writes JONNY MASSEY.

Holt is relishing the fourth round tie that will see Frank Lampard’s Rams visit the Wham Stadium for the first time. “It’s a fabulous competition is the FA Cup, they’re my favourite games," said Holt. “It unites all of football.

“All tiers of the pyramid get to play against players and teams and at stadiums that otherwise they might never get to play at."

But Holt is not letting the romance of the tie blind him from the prospect of the Reds reaching the fifth round of the cup for the first time in their history.

“Anything can happen on the day, it’s a single match and its 11 v 11," he added. “Who knows what could happen, you never know.

“Derby might not turn up, our team could be on fire, and we could get one of those days where everything seems to work.”

Stanley upset Ipswich in the last round and beat neighbours Burnley in the Carabao Cup in 2016 and Holt sees no reason why there can't be another upset on Saturday.

“We can beat them, that’s for sure," he added. "There’s no two ways about it.

“We beat Burnley here in the League Cup and then ended up in the Olympic Stadium, so who knows what can happen.

“We beat Ipswich, now we’ve got to beat Derby.”

A sold out Wham Stadium will welcome the teams this afternoon, and Holt believes the atmosphere around the ground will only add to the occasion.

“We want the fans to come again, we want to make it a great occasion and we want it to be a great experience for all fans," he added.

“Before the match, both fans can mix, listening to bands, and just make it a real special occasion for the supporters and the community.

“Derby players might not have played here before.

“They’ll get the chance to experience the atmosphere that 5,000 people can create, it’ll be bouncing.

“It’s a very tight pitch, it’s intense, and it’s going to be a fabulous day.”