Full circle moment as Wolves Women prepare for huge FA Cup tie

In January 2018, McNamara took over as boss of the women's side and has overseen huge changes in the standards, training facilities and squad quality.

Although the funding is still not there in comparison to some of their rivals, McNamara is now full-time in his role, three players are on part-time contracts and the team has access the facilities at Compton.

But in 2018 those forward steps were a pipe dream when McNamara took over. 

Shortly after he arrived his side played a friendly against Manchester United's under-19s, but seven years later they now take on Super League Manchester United in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

"It's unbelievable, it brings a lump to my throat to be honest and I'm sure I'll feel that on Saturday night when we walk out and the stadium's packed," McNamara said.

"Success isn't always climbing, winning leagues and getting trophies. Success can be seen as putting 5,000 people in Telford and bringing a game of that magnitude to the young girls around here who might not see that a lot. 

"We've got to enjoy it and embrace it.

"I told the girls not to worry about the outcome, let's focus on the occasion but make a game of it. We want to still give a good account of ourselves but I really want them to enjoy it because they deserve it with everything they give to the football club.

"These moments don't come around very often so it's important we make sure we enjoy it as a group."

Despite the gulf in financial backing between Wolves and Nottingham Forest in the National League Northern Premier Division, Wolves are level on points with their Midlands rivals at the top of tier three, although Forest do have a game in hand.

The two teams play each other on February 16 too and for Wolves to continue to be competitive is testament to McNamara, the squad and staff behind the scenes.

But now they face the biggest challenge of all.

United's budget dwarfs that of Wolves and the gulf from the top flight to tier three is huge.

Wolves will face a team full of international stars in a packed out SEAH Stadium in Telford, that is set to mark a record attendance for a Wolves Women game.

That includes games the team have played at Molineux and Telford was chosen ahead of Wolves' home ground to give Wolves the best chance of causing a major upset.

"We wanted them to feel comfortable and we wanted them to enjoy it," McNamara added.

"I have seen a lot of stuff on social media asking why it's not at Molineux, but they don't understand what it's like to walk out to a half-empty Molineux. It's daunting and Man United are used to that.

"I watched the Tamworth game (against Spurs) and I thought, I want a bit of that. I want a bit of that atmosphere around the place. 

"We love playing at Molineux, but I wanted it to be a bit different. I wanted it to really feel like something special and I think 5,000 people in Telford will certainly make that happen. We're really excited." 

The next question is, can they do it?

This Wolves side have come remarkably close to promotion to the Championship on a number of occasions, while they ran top flight Brighton close in the FA Cup last season.

It is a mammoth task against United but this side are capable of special moments - and a win on Saturday would undoubtedly be one of the team's greatest moments.

"If I stand here now and tell you that I don't believe the girls can win, we may as well put all the cameras away and just let United go to the quarter-final," McNamara said.

"It's a crazy competition and anything can happen.

"They could turn up and it could be 5-0 and over in 20 minutes, that's the nature of football, but what I know will happen is this group will give a good account of themselves and they'll give everything for the badge. 

"It is a huge task but these girls will believe they can do it.

"They are not going out there to be involved in a circus, they're going out there to test themselves against the best, understand how huge the task is, but also try and win a game of football, which is not beyond their capabilities.

"Someone said to me the other day, what are you going to do to get the fans off their seats? And that was one of the most important things someone said to me, because I don't want to be known as someone who took Wolves to the FA Cup fifth round and we sat in front of the goal and Man United ended up winning 3-0. 

"That's not what we're about. I want to try and test myself against Marc Skinner, one of the best in the world.

"I want to see if we can cause them problems. I want to get fans off their seat. We want to do what we did against Brighton last year and give them something to cheer about.

"The brutality and ruthless side of football means that might not happen, but I'll be doing everything in my power to make sure it does."