SOCCER hardman Julian Dicks and a nightclub owner plan to bounce Wigan Athletic out of the FA Cup!

Tough-tackling Dicks has been brought out of retirement by Canvey Island who head for the JJB Stadium on Saturday aiming to capture the professional club's prized scalp.

Canvey manager Jeff King has earned the reputation as a top club boss both on and off the field - he is also owner of a south-east nightspot.

Canvey are the current FA Trophy holders and King is the non-league football manager of the year.

Dicks - the rugged former West Ham, Liverpool and England left back - is the latest addition to King's squad.

Dicks' agent Rachel Anderson worked out a move to Canvey after the footballer's brief flirtation with a career in professional golf did not materialise.

Canvey Island official Francis Roche said Dicks is back pumping iron and enjoying his football after making his debut in a 3-2 win over Braintree Town.

Roche said: ''Julian has just been signed on and he is doing well - we are enjoying another very good season.''

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Canvey will be roared on by around 400 loyal fans who will make the long trip to the JJB. They sense an upset with their team flying high at the top of Ryman League - unbeaten in their last 16 games.

Their only defeat this season was a surprise loss at Croydon - and they have built on last year's FA Trophy success at Villa Park against Forest Green Rovers.

Dicks is joined in a strong squad by Mark Stimson - another top player who played under Kevin Keegan at Newcastle and later joined Spurs.

Neil Gregory the former Ipswich stalwart and one-time Colchester favourite Ben Chenery also form the backbone of King's side.

Roche feels the stage could be set at the JJB for a repeat of last year's heroics when Canvey dumped Port Vale out of the competition and then lost out to their near neighbours Southend United in a thrilling all-Essex tie.

Wigan are currently languishing close to the foot of Division Two. But Latics boss Paul Jewell has left no stone unturned in his meticulous preparation for a tricky tie.

He has seen Canvey for himself and has despatched trusty lieutenants for a second opinion.

Francis Roche added: ''It promises to be a great day for us and the fact a player like Julian Dicks is now involved merely adds spice - this is what the FA Cup is all about.''