GRAHAM Hutchison has encouraged his Worcester City team-mates to use the Emirates FA Cup as a platform to launch their careers.

City host Brackley Town in the third qualifying round tomorrow (3pm) and Hutchison says he is desperate for his side to experience “the spotlight” again.

In 2014, Hutchison helped Worcester stun Coventry City 2-1 at the Ricoh Arena before being knocked out by Scunthorpe United in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

Their run to the second round led to national recognition for the club and their players with full-back George Williams notably securing a move to Barnsley.

Hutchison, who rejoined City in the summer, also landed a full-time deal at FC Halifax Town two months after their success.

And the 23-year-old centre-back insists those are the opportunities which the historic competition can present to Worcester’s aspiring young players.

“A lot of the boys want to play professional football and the FA Cup gives you the spotlight you need,” Hutchison said.

“When we played against Scunthorpe at Kidderminster on the TV on the Tuesday night, there were about 30 clubs there watching us.

“My best mate George ended up getting a move and he is doing very well for himself now.

“So I am just trying to tell the boys, ‘If you do want to go full-time and you want to get into the (Football) League, there is no better spotlight to impress in then when you could be playing against clubs that could be looking to sign you’.

“They should see this as a big opportunity because I know how much it puts you in the spotlight.”

After beating Hutchison’s former club AFC Telford United last week, Worcester now stand within two wins of getting into the first round for the second successive season, having lost 3-0 to Sheffield United at that stage last year.

And the former Birmingham City youngster believes a cup run can also help City push on in National League North.

“When you are playing against teams like Coventry, Scunthorpe and Sheffield United, you go into games feeling very confident,” he said.

“I remember when we played Harrogate away just before we played Scunthorpe and I have never played in a game like it where it was so one-sided.

“We absolutely battered them and that’s the kind of thing an FA Cup run can do for you.

“We are two wins away but we have got Brackley who are going to be a tough test for us and then the Conference teams come in.

“So the boys need to keep their feet on the ground, keep chipping away and take each game as it comes.”