BRIGHTLINGSEA Regent have received a timely good luck message from Colchester United legend Richard Wilkins - the man who helped mastermind a famous victory against their FA Cup opponents, Torquay United.

Former skipper Wilkins captained the U’s to glory against the Gulls in the 1998 Third Division play-off final at Wembley Stadium.

David Gregory’s first-half penalty separated the sides as Colchester celebrated promotion under the Twin Towers.

Now, 20 years on, Torquay face more north Essex opposition this weekend as they head to the Taydal Stadium for an eagerly-anticipated FA Cup third qualifying round tie against Regent.

Wilkins believes the R’s are capable of an upset against the National League South giants and is rooting for manager Tom Rothery – a good friend from their time together at Needham Market.

“It’s always great seeing local sides do well and I’ve got a lot of respect for Brightlingsea,” said Wilkins, who is still head coach at Needham.

“I think it’s fair to say they’re punching above their weight, based on budget, but they’ve worked hard to get where they’re at and they get the best out of their players.

“The Taydal Stadium isn’t an easy place to go and that should work to their advantage.

“Torquay won’t fancy it and the longer it stays goalless, the more anxious their players and supporters will get.

“If Brightlingsea play to their best and Torquay have an off-day, who knows what might happen?

“It’s a one-off game and there’s no reason why there can’t be an upset.

“All it takes is one moment of brilliance, or madness, to win a cup tie like this.”

Wilkins hopes the Brightlingsea players are celebrating on Saturday night – just as he and his U’s team-mates were on that heady night back in May 1998.

“Playing at Wembley, and being captain for such an important game, was a real privilege and undoubtedly one of the highlights of my career,” he said.

“We had an inkling of what it would be like, having played in the Auto Windscreens Shield final the previous season (when the U’s lost on penalties to Carlisle United, after a 0-0 draw).

“It definitely helped us because we had some experience of having played at Wembley.

“It was a fantastic occasion, although the game went by in a flash.

“The whole thing passed really quickly, apart from the last five to ten minutes when we were desperate to hear the final whistle.

“Our whole team was totally focused and I could see how much the boys wanted it from looking into their eyes.

“The only downside was the fact the game was played on a Friday night.

“Both sets of supporters had trouble getting to the game and that’s why the crowd was only around 19,500.

“It would have been double that, had the match been played on the Saturday or Sunday.”

Wilkins plans to send a good luck message to pal Rothery and says he will be rooting for him on Saturday.

“Tom and I are still in regular contact, mainly by text message, and it goes without saying that I wish him and his team the best of luck,” said the former centre-half.

“He’s a proper football bloke who wears his heart on his sleeve.

“I’m glad he’s got £15,000 (in prize money) in the bank for his club and hopefully there will be another big crowd over there to support the team on Saturday.

“Whatever the outcome, it would then be nice to think that another 30, 40 or 50 people enjoy the experience and come back for the next home game.”