WHEN it comes to the most famous trophy in domestic football, David May's FA Cup runneth over.

Twice in the past decade, the Clarets defender has managed to lay his hands on English soccer's glittering prize.

Manchester United's 2-0 win over Newcastle in 1999 was the last time May got a close up view.

But it is the Wembley victory over Liverpool three years earlier that still provides May with his best FA Cup memory...to date!

He recalled: "I've won it twice, but '96 was my best year as we beat Liverpool 1-0 and then won the league as well.

"It's hard to tell people what it feels like to win the FA Cup and most people can only dream of it.

"Lads that have played for England or their countries have never won the FA Cup and all I can say is it is a great day out - a truly great occasion and they don't come any bigger."

Burnley may not have designs on a dream date in Cardiff in May just yet, but tomorrow's fourth round clash with Gillingham does offer the chance of taking another tantalising step forward to the last 16 of the competition.

Yet for May, it is also one more stepping stone towards the ultimate aim of helping Burnley overcome a turbulent time and then hopefully earning an extended stay at Turf Moor.

The 33-year-old signed an initial one-year deal with the Clarets last August after finally admitting his best days at Old Trafford were behind him.

Three Premier League titles, two FA Cup triumphs and a treasured Champions League winners medal will provide many happy memories when it comes to looking back on a glorious career in the game.

But right now, you get the feeling May might swap all his trophies for a few more years at the heart of the action.

He explained: "I enjoyed it immensely at United, but you can't legislate for all the players they brought in.

"But now I'm a Burnley player, they've given me a chance and I've got to repay them.

"I've got first team football here, I'm enjoying it and I think the time to stop is when I stop enjoying it.

"I would like to stay on if possible. I've talked to a lot of players and they've said there's nothing better than just playing constantly.

"I know players that have gone on to play at 38 and 39 and I can't see why I can't do that if I look after myself.

"Right now though I'm not playing for myself - I'm playing for the club's future. If this club goes down then it would be a nightmare for the town and the whole area. But that won't happen!"

That threat of relegation is pressure enough for such a small squad of players. Throw in the FA Cup and all that could mean to Burnley FC financially, and you would imagine the weight of the world is on the shoulders of May and his Turf Moor team mates.

But the Oldham-born stopper, who revealed the the well-publicised altercation with Clarets boss Stan Ternent late last year was "just one of those things", now scoffs at suggestions that far more serious off-field matters are in danger of distracting the team from the matter in hand.

And if the focus remains until 5pm tomorrow, May is hopeful of landing a reunion with some old friends.

He said: "There is no extra pressure on the players. The only pressure on us is to go out and win.

"That's the only thing we can do to hopefully make the crowds return. If that happens tomorrow and we get through into the last 16, then who knows?

"There are plenty of Premiership teams that have gone out - and more playing against each other this week.

"Manchester United in the next round would be great. But Gillingham won't be easy meat and they will be expecting to win as well.

"The main thing is to get through Saturday and then let fate take its course."

Right now I'm not playing for myself - I'm playing for the club's future.