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Oliver Jones

Accrington Stanley chairman reveals his 50-year-old Leeds United connection ahead of FA Cup clash

Accrington Stanley's chairman Andy Holt has revealed his father's connection to Leeds United ahead of the two sides' FA Cup fourth round match this weekend.

The Whites have already beaten Championship opponents Cardiff City in the competition this season, although they needed a replay at Elland Road to do it.

The 'Owd Reds, on the other hand, have had to get past Crawley Town, Barnet and National League side Boreham Wood in their own third round replay to host Jesse Marsch's side at Wham Stadium.

READ MORE: Leeds United line-ups vs Accrington Stanley as Rutter and Bamford start in five changes

READ MORE: 'David can beat Goliath' says Accrington boss ahead of Leeds United FA Cup clash

After Accrington's financial difficulties over the past decade, the match against Leeds represents the huge turning point the club has seen since Holt took over as chairman in 2015.

Since then, he's invested in the club to stop it from going into insolvency, but will for one day be distracted from running the club to remember his father, a fan of Leeds. Holt even remembers meeting members of the famous early '70s Whites which he recounted in an interview with iNews.

"I met the best, 1970s Leeds team at Butlins in Filey. We couldn’t afford many holidays, but my Dad definitely somehow made sure we were there at the same time.

"Manchester United may prefer to play a friendly in China for their finances, but for the football pyramid below the Premier League, matches like Saturday are critical. We all have to put something back, Premier League clubs too.

"We play a lot of games in League One. A lot of it isn’t sexy, so to have Leeds in Accy, in the FA Cup, it gives everyone a lift. It also lifts the whole town, and it needs it. It has just had a load of cash in this levelling up fund. So hopefully things are turning around for the area, too.

"If we get a draw, you won’t get much sense out of me Saturday night."

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