You Havant had it easy, son - Jordan Snr knows all about life as part-timer

'Some people are religious about their fitness regimes,' says Tom, who works as a personal trainer in Bristol and can list Carol Vorderman among those who turn to him for guidance.

As Tom then explains, Havant's countdown to today's FA Cup match at Anfield is not something the pampered millionaires of Liverpool would tolerate.

They work as binmen, builders, plasterers and couriers, only training twice a week in preparation for what will be the highlight of their football careers.

'Tony Taggart is a dustman and at five in the morning every Saturday Neil Sharp will be charging around making deliveries for his courier business,' says Tom.

Joe Jordan, who sits proudly beside his son for lunch in a restaurant close to Clifton's stunning suspension bridge, has some understanding of life as a part-time professional on £350-a-week.

'My mum didn't want me to be a footballer,' says Joe, who is now Portsmouth's first-team coach and will therefore be busy today preparing for their FA Cup tie at home to Plymouth.

'So I went to work as a draughtsman in Glasgow while playing for Greenock Morton. If I'm honest, the offers weren't really coming in for me at that time anyway. Celtic would invite me to train but there was never any sign of a contract.'

Joe's career would, of course, take off in a very big way, first with Leeds and then Manchester United and AC Milan.

He would become the only Scotsman to score in three World Cups and be forever blamed by the Welsh for their failure to reach the tournament in Argentina in 1978.

It was, he is reminded, a controversial penalty incident at Anfield. 'Their man handled the ball and the referee made the correct decision,' says Joe with a face that would suggest he is one hell of a poker player.

For Tom and his older brother Andrew, who played for Bristol City and Cardiff before his career was cut short by injury, Joe was obviously a tough act to follow.

'I can't really remember him playing,' says Tom. 'But I do remember him reducing me to tears when he was the manager at Hearts.

'I'm an Everton fan and I was sitting there as a little kid in an Everton kit watching Hearts play a testimonial against my team.

'Dad came on at half-time and scored two goals. I was crying my eyes out.'

It was, insists Tom, a rare act of meanness. 'We were never put under any pressure to become footballers,' he says.

'I don't think either of us ever found it daunting trying to follow in dad's footsteps. I never thought I was in some way going to embarrass him if I didn't make it.

'It's always been a matter of just trying to be the best you can and taking satisfaction in what you do.

'One of the most satisfying seasons I've had was my first as a part-time pro with Tamworth. I loved it.

'I was playing every week in the Blue Square Premier, having spent most of the previous season with Southend watching other people play while I sat on the bench.'

Tom started out as an apprentice at Bristol City, during Joe's second spell as manager at Ashton Gate, but was released after a year and moved on to Southend.

He only lasted a year there as well, however, before taking that step down with Tamworth.

'After a few years I think you end up at the level where you're supposed to be,' says Tom, philosophically.

'When I look back there were better players around me. Simple as that.

'I tried to make it into the first team at Bristol City and at Southend but I never quite made the breakthrough. But I still have the desire to win every game and I still organise my working life around my football.'

While a move to Eastleigh — another club in the Blue Square South Division but one that is run by former Havant manager Ian Baird — is likely to come for the 26-year-old centre-half after today's game, he still craves another crack at the Blue Square Premier.

But such a return to full-time football, on what would remain a modest wage, could only come after careful consideration.

'It's a tough one because I'd have to walk away from my business and that's a major risk if you only have the guarantee of a one-year contract,' says Tom, who scored Havant's fourth goal during that remarkable replay against Swansea.

'Last year I bought my first house with my girlfriend, Emily, and I have that to think about now. I have responsibilities.'

Joe adds: It's one where your head has to rule your heart. You want to play. You want to do the best you can but it's a big, big decision. Huge.

'I think it's so tough for kids these days. Getting into football. You see good lads playing in the FA Youth Cup and not many of them will actually make it.

'Look at that boy at Manchester City, Michael Johnson. I think I'm right in saying he had to go to Holland in his early teens. He's a great player but that's just cruel.'

Tom, by his own admission, might not be a great player but today he has the chance to test himself against such individuals. He is relishing the opportunity to mark Fernando Torres or tussle with Steven Gerrard.

He was relishing the opportunity to train at The Cliff last night. 'It's obviously where dad trained every day when he was at United,' says Tom.

'I remember kicking a ball around there with my brother when I was a kid while dad was inside chatting to Alex Ferguson.

'The whole experience should be brilliant and while it's going to be tough we have to see it as a chance to do something special.'

Torres, he accepts, will represent his greatest challenge. 'I once played against Teddy Sheringham and when me and my brother were at Bristol we played a Manchester United team that included Wes Brown and John O'Shea,' he says.

But Torres? 'Terrific player,' says Joe. 'The goal he scored against Chelsea at the start of the season. The pace. The finish. He put a real marker down that day.'

Tom is saying nothing. 'I'll give everything to be competitive from the first minute,' he eventually declares. 'Aye, he will,' says Joe. But then, he is a Jordan.