It really is sweet FA for Birmingham City fanatic Paul Guppy – the first member of the public to be tasked with making the coveted cup competition draw.

For decades, fans have watched on the edge of their seats as former soccer stars or Football Association bigwigs pull balls out of the velvet bag.

Nothing beats the excitement of hearing your team’s number announced: “Six, Wolverhampton Wanderers, will play 17, Aston Villa.”

But today supporters will be treated to Paul’s thick, Brummie accent.

Mind you, the former Rubery warehouse worker has links to soccer’s upper echelons. Cousin Steve Guppy played for Leicester City, Celtic and England.

The 64-year-old won the dream job after entering a Talksport radio station competition – and he’s relishing the task.

“I’m going to do it with gusto,” he pledged. “I will do it with my face glowing and I’ll be wearing my Birmingham City tie and jacket.

“They’ll know I’m a Bluenose!”

Local teams are well represented in the fourth qualifying round draw, with Halesowen, Evesham United, Stourbridge and Tamworth all looking to progress to the first round proper.

Paul earned the privilege by answering a call for Talksport listeners’ best FA Cup memories. His was the 1956 final between Birmingham City and Manchester City, a game Blues lost 3-1.

It was the first time that Paul, just six years old, had watched the side he’d go on to support through thick and thin.

“Uncle Gordon took me and I can remember thinking ‘Why are they called Blues, they’re playing in white?’

“I can remember the noise, it was intense. I think I was a bit frightened.

“It was the game in which Manchester City keeper Bert Trautmann played on despite suffering a broken neck. I can remember the delay.”

Paul’s tale brought back the lost magic of the cup, but it was a question he tagged onto the end of his story – a question that stumped listeners – that earned him tomorrow’s historic task.

“What was missing from the 1956 Wembley cup final which was not missing before, has never been since and will probably never be missing again?”

(We won’t spoil it for soccer boffins. The answer to the teaser is at the bottom of the article).

Until recently, Paul has been an ever-present at St. Andrew’s, and worked as a steward at the ground from 1991 to 2011.

“I have followed them since I was a baby,” he said. “I was there in 2011 when we beat Arsenal in the 2011 Carling Cup final and I cried my eyes out. I was there when we gained promotion, and I cried my eyes out.

“Now, with what’s gone on at Birmingham City, I’m crying again but for very different reasons. I’ll go to away matches, but not home games – I won’t give them the money.”

But Paul is not among those fans baying for manager Lee Clark’s blood: “He’s managing my club with his hands tied behind his back. He’s doing the best he can.”

He will arrive at Talksport’s Hatfield, London, studio at 10am and expects to make the draw at noon. “There’ll be no nerves,” he promised. “I’ve just got to announce the numbers, but you’ll be able to tell I’m chuffed.”

Sadly, the competition is at such an early stage that Paul will be unable to pull the two names out of the hat he longs for each season.

“Birmingham City v Aston Villa, that’s the dream tie!”

ANSWER TO PAUL’S FA TEASER. The answer is an arm. Referee Alf Bond had only one.