Tonight’s Servio Hampshire Men's Senior Cup semi-final against AFC Totton is a family affair for AFC Bournemouth goalkeeper Mack Allan.
The teenage stopper, who has started the past two fixtures for Alan Connell’s development squad, could come up against his uncle Jimmy Ball, who manages the Stags.
A family steeped in footballing history, Allan is the grandson of legendary 1966 World Cup winner Alan Ball – the father of Jimmy.
And despite being in the opposite camp for the last-four clash at Snows Stadium (7.45pm kick-off), the Cherries goalkeeper is full of admiration for his uncle.
“He has always been very supportive,” Allan told afcb.co.uk. “I was on loan there, only for a couple of games.
“It was a bit of a weird experience but I think as soon as we crossed the door of going into the changing room, the change went from being uncle to manager.
“He is basically the same as my grandad and I didn’t really get to meet my grandad. I basically look up to him like I would my grandad.”
Ball has guided Totton to fourth place in Southern League Premier this season. With 56 points coming from 31 games.
Allan himself has enjoyed a positive fortnight, having ticked off some more milestones in his own playing career.
With his mum Keely taking pictures from the stand, he warmed up with the first team before the FA Cup fifth round tie against Leicester City at Vitality Stadium.
He also made his first appearance for the development squad against Queens Park Rangers a day later, as well as keeping his first clean sheet for Connell’s side in a 5-0 win against Colchester on Tuesday.
The keeper said: “I just feel like going and getting though my second game, I did well.
“The first half, we were a little bit under it in the first couple of minutes but we composed ourselves and got some goals.
“We had an unfortunate defeat the other day but to bounce back felt good.”
Victory for the Cherries would put them into the final of the competition. AFC Portchester and Southampton are set to contest the other semi-final later this month.
