BASHLEY boss Pete Moore is planning a cheeky bid to hijack Stevenage Borough's attempts to bring reality Football to the television screens.

The New Forest outfit were paired against the Conference giants in yesterday's draw for the fourth round of the FA Umbro Trophy and will travel to Broadhall Way on Febru-ary 2, writes Neil Perrett.

And if Stevenage officials get their way, highlights of the game could be shown on the controversial new series You're The Manager on Channel Four.

Dubbed as Big Brother meets Dream Team, the interactive show would allow viewers to vote players out of the Boro team via mobile phone text messages to manager Paul Fairclough.

The proposals have attracted widespread criticism from a number of bodies and concerns have been voiced that the programme will put the game in a bad light.

But if legal experts can reach a compromise over various matters, the show will start early next month and could include footage of Bashley's visit to the Hertfordshire-based club.

Bash joint-manager Moore said: "I think it's a bit daft really, but that's what television programmes are all about nowadays because sensible things don't make good viewing.

"If someone said to me they wanted our supporters to send me text messages telling me which players to select or who to substitute, I think I'd tell them to get on their bike.

"But if it all comes off and a certain player is doing really well against us when we play them, I will send their manager hundreds of text messages so he has to take him off!"

Moore, whose side are rooted to the foot of the Dr Martens League Eastern Division, added: "Everyone is allowed an opinion in football, but this concept could set a dangerous precedent. You only have to read the postbag in the Echo to see what some fans think.

"I read some letters on Saturday which gave Sean O'Driscoll stick about not signing a loan player, but people don't seem to realise that these players don't come cheap.

"I'm sure if Sean could sign somebody on the money available to him he would, but when you have got players asking for £5,000 a week in wages it's impossible to meet their demands.

"Supporters don't understand the ins and outs of everyday life at a football club and that's what would worry me about agreeing to the proposals for this new television programme."

Bashley, whose previous Trophy-best run saw them reach the third round four years ago, reached the fourth round after beating Ryman League Bognor Regis Town 2-1 on Saturday.

They will be looking for a place in the last 16 at the expense of the 1997 semi-finalists and 1996 Conference champions who were denied entry to the Football League after failing to meet ground-grading requirements.

Should the tie end in a draw, the replay will take place on Wednesday, February 6 at Bashley Road due to Stevenage's Conference clash against Dagenham and Redbridge being shown live on Sky two days earlier.

Bashley will be bidding to reach the semi-finals of the Hampshire Senior Cup when they travel to Havant and Waterlooville tonight (7.30pm kick-off).

The New Forest outfit have been handed a big incentive to reach the final for the first time in their history, with the winners of tonight's (January 15) tie due to meet either Eastleigh or Gosport of the Wessex League in the semis.

Brockenhurst's quarter-final conquerors Aldershot meet either Newport (IoW) or Andover in the other semi-final which are played over two legs.