The U’s boss revealed he and brother Nicky have shown their squad footage of Sean Raggett’s dramatic winner for then non-league outfit Lincoln City at Premier League Burnley during the Imps’ remarkable run to the quarter-finals, in 2017.

Raggett headed home in the 89th minute at Turf Moor to secure a famous fifth-round victory and Cowley hopes memories of that extraordinary campaign can underline to his Colchester players what the competition can offer, ahead of their first-round tie at the JobServe Community Stadium.

“We showed them the video of Sean Raggett scoring the famous Lincoln goal against Burnley in the fifth round of the FA Cup,” said Cowley.

“It’s a great competition, the best cup competition in the world.

“It’s been very good to Nicky and I over the years and it’s a game that we’re super excited for.”

Cowley feels the U’s also have players within their squad who understand the potential for FA Cup drama.

Memories - Paul Digby was part of the Cambridge United side that won at Newcastle United in the FA Cup (Image: PA)

He highlighted midfielder Paul Digby’s previous FA Cup success with Cambridge United at Newcastle United in 2022 and is well aware of the significance of the occasion for their Southern League Premier opponents Worcester City.

“Paul Digby was part of the Cambridge team that beat Newcastle at St James’ Park, so we have some boys that have had some good successes,” he said.

“We know that for Worcester City and for their players, this will be a big game and big occasion and also for us.

“If we can find a way of being in the hat at 5pm on Saturday, then all of a sudden, we’re only one game away from a potential game against a Premier League club.

“Nicky and I know more than anyone how the FA Cup can change the trajectory of a playing career for the boys and also for a club.”

Cowley saw that at first hand during his time at Lincoln.

The proceeds from their historic cup run to the quarter-finals helped the Imps invest in their infrastructure, including the development of a new training ground, and Cowley believes the benefits are still being felt.

“I look at Lincoln City now in the Championship and I’m not sure that would have been possible if we hadn’t had the FA Cup run that we had,” he said.

Cup run - Danny Cowley and Nicky Cowley have enjoyed plenty of FA Cup success over the years (Image: Pro Sports Images)

“It’s such a well-run club and off the money that we made from the cup run, they intelligently invested it into a training ground.

“At the time, we were just training at army barracks as a National League team, so we bought a piece of land and built a training ground.

“They’ve developed and developed and developed on that land and now have a brilliant training ground.

“I know that’s played a big part in helping the club get to where they are, in the Championship today.

“They were a really down to earth, humble group.

“They were all non-league boys and very few had actually ever played even in the Football League, at that stage.

“That journey was incredible and will live with us forever.

“I’ve been very lucky to get married and have two beautiful children but it’s certainly one of the best days of my footballing life, for sure.”