Eastbourne Borough captain Charlie Walker admits it would be a huge achievement to reach the first round of the FA Cup.

The Sports are just one step away from being in the hat.

Walker, who has been on cup runs in the past, knows how big it would be for the club to make the draw on Monday.

He said: “It would be a massive achievement to reach the first round, especially with the current circumstances and with the climate, every penny counts at the minute.

“So, every round we progress in is huge for the club.”

But to make it through, they will have to get past fellow Vanarama National League South side Dulwich Hamlet at Priory Lane this afternoon (3pm) and Walker is expecting a tough game.

He said: “They will be the same as they usually are a big, strong, physical and well-organised team.

“But I’d like to think this year with how we had been getting on so far, we’ve been big strong, physical and organised as well, so we definitely match them in that respect.”

Some of Borough’s side have been on cup runs previously.

Dean Cox, Chris Whelpdale, Sergio Torres and Walker himself have reached at least the third round of the competition with some of their former clubs.

However, the striker thinks player-assistant Torres is somebody who can help everyone.

He said: “Of course it is something our players will learn from.

“Especially Sergio because he has lived the dream really, in what everyone would want out of an FA Cup run as a non-league player you want that tie away at Old Trafford.

“He has experienced that and got all of this knowledge that he can pass down to the younger players.

“Even myself, he can help every member of the team, to know what we are playing for.

“Of course, the money side of it is massive for the players as well, but you are looking for that big tie.

“You want that away day and want to play Premier League teams.”

Walker will lead the Sports out against Dulwich after he was appointed as captain for the season.

The 30-year-old from Brighton revealed he was surprised to have been given the armband.

He said: “It is a massive honour.

“I have not shied away from the fact it is the first captaincy in my career and it was a bit of a shock because I am a striker, it is not the norm is it?

“But for me it a huge honour.

“Eastbourne Borough are a massive club in Sussex and I was born and bred here, so I know all about the club.

“To be a captain for me is a real privilege.”

Walker scored 12 goals prior to the 2019/20 season ending due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Despite that, the Borough skipper is hoping to add assists to his game as well as putting the ball in the back of the net.

He said: “You always want to better your previous season.

“It was tough for me in the last campaign because I wasn’t playing in the first half of it.

“For me, it was not until Danny (Bloor) came in that I became a regular and any striker will tell you need to be playing frequently, to be sharp or get your confidence up.

“So it was a funny one really because I just felt I was getting into my stride and the season ended.

“I’d like to score more this season and I also find as I am getting older, I do drop a bit deeper and work more on my assists.

“I have three or four already this season, I know Danny is not keen on that and wants me to be scoring the goals.

“But naturally as I get older and a bit more experienced, I find myself providing a lot more than actually getting in the box myself.”

The Sports have added some new faces to their side over the summer including Walker’s former teammate James Hammond.

The pair played together during their time at Peacehaven and Walker admitted that Hammond has been brilliant in the middle of the park for Borough.

He said: “James, I know well from when I played with him at Peacehaven when he was really young.

“He was a brilliant player then and he has gone from strength to strength at Lewes playing really well there.

“He deserves a chance at this level and so far, he doesn’t look out of place at all.

“For me, he has been bossing the midfield.

“Danny has made some great signings.

“In my three years here, he has made the best signings this season.”