Metropolitan Police FC: FA Cup preparations - in pictures

Metropolitan Police FC players prepare for training at their football ground in East Molesey, Surrey. The Met will face Crawley in a first round FA Cup match on Saturday Photograph: Martin Godwin for The Guardian

Players warm up. Currently mid-table in the Ryman Premier League, four divisions and 104 places below Crawley in the English football pyramid, the Metropolitan Police have played four qualifying matches just to make the first round of this year’s competition Photograph: Martin Godwin for The Guardian

Coach Jim Cooper leads a team-talk on the pitch. 'The boys have probably been thinking about this game since the draw was made last Sunday week,' he says. Photograph: Martin Godwin for The Guardian

As well as a floodlit pitch with one large stand and a covered terrace, this Metropolitan Police sports and social club has several function rooms, a conference suite, a cricket pitch and gym Photograph: Martin Godwin for The Guardian

Assistant coach Gavin MacPherson addresses the team. 'We can go out there, be positive and really give this a crack.' says MacPherson. Photograph: Martin Godwin for The Guardian

The team pose for a team portrait, ahead of the biggest match in Met Police history Photograph: Martin Godwin for The Guardian

The team make their way inside after training. Like many of his backroom staff, Jim Cooper is a serving policeman, a detective sergeant who has been in the force for 20 years. 'It’s quite a stressful job and this is a welcome release to that,' he says Photograph: Martin Godwin for The Guardian