Tom Parkinson could feature in the FA Cup First Round for the first time in his career on Saturday.

The Tonbridge Angels midfielder has seen the last three years ruined by injury but he’s set to put that all behind him – if selected – against League 2 Bradford City at Longmead.

After long spells on the sidelines with a fractured leg and then an ankle injury, Parkinson is now back to full fitness and he played a pivotal role in Angel’s Fourth Qualifying Round win over Taunton.

“For me this year every game I play is a bonus,” he said. “I go out and try to enjoy it as much as possible.

“I’ve only actually played one season in the last three years so every game now I complete I’m happy.

“Every way I can contribute to the team I’m happy. It was nice to play in the last round and to get into the first round is even better.”

Despite his positive outlook on just being back on the field again, Parkinson is determined not to let that attitude continue to Angels’ big day out in front of the TV cameras.

“It’s a bonus but we’re not here for a day out,” he insisted. “We’re here to win a game of football. The media stuff is great but we’re not here to make the numbers up, we want to give a good account of ourselves and try to get to the next round.

“The added bonus is it’s on telly so the family can watch at home. It’s another game of football.

“Hopefully if we get a little bit of luck and play how we’re capable of then I don’t see why we can’t run them close.”

It’s the first time since 1972 that Tonbridge have reached the First Round of the competition, losing three times in the Fourth Qualifying Round since the turn of the century.

Parkinson, the club’s longest continuously-serving player added: “We’ve been trying for the last six years to get to the first round.

“To get to the first round you do need a bit of luck. Everything seems to have fallen for us this year and there is a real good buzz in the dressing room.

“We’re confident that we can have a good season and we can give a good account of ourselves on Saturday.

“In the past seasons we’ve had some good players but probably never 16 or 17 that are capable of getting in the starting XI.

“It’s the strongest squad we’ve had since I’ve been here, there is competition for places everywhere and everyone needs to be on their toes every week.”

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