FORMER Bromsgrove Rovers favourite Steve Pope is relishing the opportunity to renew old rivalries in the FA Cup this weekend.

The Halesowen Town captain joined the Yeltz from Rovers last summer after several successful seasons at the Victoria Ground.

Now he is firmly established at the Southern League Premier Division side and lines-up against his former club at The Grove for Saturday's FA Cup third qualifying round clash.

"I am really looking forward to it," he said. "It was a dream draw for both sets of players.

"It's going to be such a great occasion for both sets of players and fans. I can't say how much I am looking forward to it. It's a huge game and there should be a big crowd."

The stakes are high for both clubs, with £5,000 and one match away from the first round proper on the line.

Halesowen went all the way to that stage last season, losing out to Yeading, while Rovers lost a fourth qualifying round replay the season before.

Pope added: "An FA Cup tie is always going to be a big occasion for any non-league club.

"Last year we had a great run in the FA Cup and got to the first round proper and we would like to have that experience again. But Rovers will fancy their chances of beating us, they had a great result against Hinckley."

Pope, who scored a staggering 20 goals from centre-half last season, is not the only player who has turned out for both Halesowen and Bromsgrove.

Striker Chris Smith left the Victoria Ground last month in a switch with winger Anthony Maguire, while Nick Amos, Karl Johnson and Ian Cooper have all had spells in green and white.