Port Vale defender Ben Purkiss has stressed how important it is that he and his teammates respect Maidenhead United this weekend.

for ticket details.hereThe Valiants welcome the non-league outfit to Vale Park on Sunday, kick-off 3pm, in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup. Click

Purkiss played non-league football alongside his degree at university so knows what it will be like for the Magpies when they visit Burslem.

Speaking to Valiant PlayerHD prior to the clash, the right back insisted it’s vital no one underestimates Alan Devonshire’s side.

“There will be players there that are playing in the non-league for who knows what reasons,” he said.

“I was playing there because I didn’t feel like professional football was for me at the time and I wanted to play football while I was continuing my education.

“I think I was a good player and I thought I was better than some of the players I was playing against but they weren’t to know that.

“They probably just thought he’s a non-league player and it will be a similar situation on Saturday.”

Click on the icon below to watch the full interview with Ben Purkiss on Valiant PlayerHD.