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Banter with Bale, a full English and a four-star hotel... Marine defender James Joyce lifts the lid on the FA Cup tie of his dreams against Tottenham

What does a footballer experience in the hours before the biggest game of his life?

Marine AFC took on the greatest mis-match in FA Cup history on Sunday, with Jose Mourinho's Tottenham visiting Rossett Park with 160 places between the two sides in the English football pyramid.

Marine defender JAMES JOYCE provided Sportsmail with a candid insight into the 48 hours building up to their clash with Spurs, involving WhatsApp messages, roadblocks and a full English breakfast.

Marine FC welcomed Gareth Bale and Co to Rossett Park in an FA Cup clash with Tottenham
James Joyce (left) played every minute in a dream-come-true for the underdog Marine players

Friday night

The excitement is building and the team’s WhatsApp group doesn’t stop pinging with messages.