If you want to keep the buzz from playing FA Cup football alive, get in to coaching - that's what Met Police youth team coach Stuart Searle has done.

The 36-year-old goalkeeper hung up his gloves at the end of last season, having helped the Blues to their highest ever league finish - fifth in the Ryman Premier League.

Searle combines coaching the youngsters at Imber Court with his day job as goalkeeping coach with Chelsea Ladies and travelling too and from his home in Milton Keynes every day.

The former Carshalton Athletic shot stopper, who has played for both the original Wimbledon - as a junior - and MK Dons as a pro, will be in the dugout when the Blues' U18s visit Burnley tonight in the FA Youth Cup third round.

Searle, who played in FA Cup second round proper with Chelmsford City and made six League One appearances for MK Dons, believes his transition from playing to coaching means he does not miss playing. 

And he is only too pleased to pass on his experience to others.

"I'm happy retired. There are always times in you career where you tell yourself you could keep playing at a high level," he said.

"But I retired winning the Surrey Senior Cup and helping the Met Police into the Ryman Premeir League play-offs - the best season in the club's history.

"I kept 23 clean sheets too that season - a club record.

"Lots of teams keep asking me to come out of retirement, but the time was right to call it a day.

"Because I am still involved in the game on a full-time basis I do not miss it. I still get that buzz on matchday, so in a sense I have not retired really.

"I've got no regrets. My dream was to play professional football and I did that. I played in front of 20,000 people and know what that feels like."

Searle has been on the coaching staff at Chelsea for 11 years to add to his vast playing experience that includes FA Cup second round defeats to Macclesfield Town and Crawley Town.

And the former Basingstoke Town man, who missed the Blues' win over Yeovil Town int he last round due to Champions League commitments with Chelsea, has a thirst for tonight's encounter - just like the players.

"This is an experience myself and the lads will never forget," he added.

"There is no betetr feeling than walking out at a venue like Turf Moor - full or otherwise - which is so historic.

"We are under no illusions that this is going to be a very tough game, but we have a very strong group of players.

"As long as we put in a good representation of non-League football trhen we can have no complaints and we should be all right. We have already achieved so much."