Forfar’s Greg Paterson believes the Loons have a big “window of opportunity” against SPL side Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup despite being a part-time side from the second division.
The keeper was released by home town team Dunfermline at the end of last season and has had to swap full-time football for life on the factory floor at CR Smith.
His working day begins in the early hours and, after a hard shift, he often has to gear himself up for a gruelling training session at night.
However, Paterson admits having to get a job outwith football makes him appreciate playing even more.
He said: “My day starts just before 5am when I roll out of bed and start getting ready for work. I can’t think of any SPL players who would be up at that time. But after leaving full-time football with Dunfermline I just had to get a job. So it’s an eye-opener in a way.
“It’s a reality check because you see the other side of life, which makes you appreciate football even more. My shift starts at 6am and lasts until 2pm by which time you know you’ve done a day’s work.
“It’s non-stop for the whole eight-hour shift in the factory. Then, twice a week, I go training with Forfar so I sometimes try to catch a few winks in between to make sure I’m fresh enough for that.
“It’s tough going at times but I thrive on it. And when you’ve got a big cup game to look forward to like Aberdeen then it makes it all worthwhile.”
The Dons are red-hot favourites to progress to the next round but Paterson insists Forfar’s wily manager Dick Campbell will have his part-time side believing they are capable of causing a cup shock.
Paterson said: “We played Aberdeen in a pre-season friendly at our place back in July and gave a decent account of ourselves at Station Park, so we know a bit about them. Our gaffer will have us more than fired up for the occasion. You can rest assured of that.
“He’s a tremendous motivator and is used to big games having been in charge of Dunfermline some years ago. His team talks are great. He makes you feel as though you can go out there and beat anyone.
“We’ve got nothing to lose on Saturday. We’re a part-time team against an Aberdeen side who are on the up a bit. The boys can just go out there and enjoy themselves and the big following from Aberdeen should inspire our lads as well.”
Paterson’s career was on the line when he suffered a horrific double leg break while playing for the Pars against Dundee in March 2010. And he admits that devastating experience has made him even more determined to savour occasions like Saturday’s cup tie.
He said: “When you get a serious injury, you just never know what’s round the corner. I’m just glad I was able to come back from it and be able to take my place between the sticks again.
“Sometimes a set-back makes you realise how lucky you are to be involved in football so that’s why I’m relishing this Aberdeen cup tie, thinking that anything is possible on the day.”
Tickets for the home support end of the ground will be on sale from the secretary’s office at Station Park on Friday from 6.30-7.30pm and on Saturday from 9.30am to noon.
There will be no cash turnstiles available at the game. Since a crowd of between 3,500 and 4,000 looks possible, fans are being asked to go along as early as possible to avoid turnstile congestion.