Tamworth's 'Bapman' Tom Tonks looking to shock Tottenham Hotspur in FA Cup

ITV News Central's Dan Salisbury-Jones went to meet Tamworth's Tom Tonks to see how he balances playing for the team while running his own sandwich business

A long throw from Tom Tonks is one of the most dangerous things a higher level football team can face in this season's FA Cup but he's not just Tamworth's hero on the pitch.

Before the sun rises, he prepares to feed the workers of the Midlands. He is Bapman.

At 7am I joined him at the depot in Bradley, Bilston where he packs his food delivery van for the day ahead. It is freezing.

Tom said: "It's very cold at the moment with the weather, but yeah, nothing stops me from delivering sandwiches to the people that need them. So yeah, it's going to be a busy couple of days."

He's not wrong. This is unavoidable preparation for the biggest game in Tamworth's history. A third round FA Cup match against Premier League Tottenham Hotspur.

The Premier League giants released footage this week of their own build up in the plush surroundings of their training ground gym. Many of them are millionaires and their week simply doesn't compare.

Tom said: "No, definitely not. I think they'll all be getting recovery massages and rub downs and everything. And yeah, I'm out here in the cold delivering food."

While that is not ideal, you cannot question Tom's commitment, before work, he is in the gym at 5am, something he claims helps with his rocket long throw.

The night before we're talking he had played an FA Trophy match in South West London but still made time for the gym.He said: "I think I've had less than three hours sleep today.

"But yeah, like the say, the excitement of the weekend is, you know, it's driving me through. I've just had a newborn baby.

"That's up, you know, every 2 hours. It's been a great month or so. Hopefully we can get a special results on the weekend."

His long throws have played a huge part in getting them here. League One Huddersfield couldn't cope in Round One. Tottenham, though, are 95 places above Tamworth in the football pyramid."As a kid this is what you dream of, playing against superstars and things like that. And we've worked really hard to get to this point, you know what I mean? We've beaten some big clubs in Huddersfield in a big local derby at Burton.

Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning.

He adds: "I think the players deserve it and the management as well because we've put a lot of effort into you know, what's going to go down on Sunday."The game is a sell out and Tamworth's Lamb Ground will be a unique experience for Spurs. "The portaloos that they're going to be getting changed in, it's not the luxury that their used to say with all the brilliant tables and, you know, all the expenses that they have at these top grounds these days.

"So yeah, we're going to try and use it to our advantage. Yeah. And we look forward to giving them a 'warm' welcome, shall we say."Tom knows Tamworth's FA Cup run is likely to end on Sunday, but he also knows he could help cause one of the greatest shocks in the competition's history.

With his sandwich van blurting out a tune like an ice cream van, Spurs can't say they haven't been warned that he's coming.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know