Paul Thomsett is preparing himself for the biggest game of his 20-year career in senior football and, at the age of 37, the Lewes defender is determined to enjoy himself.

Unlike his more illustrious counterparts at Stoke City, Thomsett still cleans his own boots and, although he has never experienced anything like the attention he and his team-mates are currently receiving, he is at least wise enough to savour it.

"I know it's probably my last chance to play on the big stage," he said. "Some of the youngsters can't believe it, they just think this is going to happen every year. But it doesn't, you only get a couple of chances at something like this and this could be their only opportunity."

Thomsett has reached the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup three times previously with Southwick, Peacehaven and Burgess Hill.

But Lewes's win over Mangotsfield at the second attempt sent him and the rest of Jimmy Quinn's side into unchartered territory for the first time in the club's 116-year history.

Now Thomsett is hoping he and his team-mates can hold their nerve and return from Sunday's first round trip to the Britannia Stadium with their pride intact.

He said: "Hopefully we will be up for the occasion and not freeze. We know we have only a little chance but you never know in football as funny things can happen.

"I still remember when Conference side Sutton United knocked out the holders Coventry City a few years ago.

"The big thing with about 15,000 people there is whether we can avoid being too nervous? Personally I have only played in front of about 2,000 people before so it will be a nice weekend for me."

Despite his mature years Thomsett admits he has become prone to the odd teenage fantasy since beating Mangotsfield.

"Sometimes I can't sleep," he confessed. "I have been dreaming of scoring in the last minute."

Thomsett joined Lewes from Burgess Hill last year and the Rooks' assistant manager Billy Nixon is delighted to have persuaded the tenacious defender to come to the club.

Nixon said: "If we had 15 or 16 players with his attitude we would win everything. He has got great leadership skills, he's small and slim and people misjudge him, but he is hard as nails. He has played with injuries for us and fitted into our defence very well."

Thomsett's partner Julie Williams works for the club behind the bar at the Dripping Pan.

"He is very excited," she said. "He's like a Cheshire cat, walking round smiling all the time."

The couple live in South Chailey and Julie added: "I used to clean his boots but now I am a working girl I let him get on with it."

And despite entering the twilight of his footballing days, Thomsett hopes to carry on cleaning his own boots for a good couple of years.

"I'm playing sweeper now so it's a bit easier and hopefully I have got a few years left in me," he said. "It has been a good move for me coming to Lewes. Last year was great, we won the Sussex Senior Cup and got promoted."

Those achievements could be comfortably eclipsed on Sunday with a Lewes win. What price a last minute winner from the man they call Thommo?