FRIENDS and former colleagues of the two south Essex brothers who masterminded Lincoln City’s stunning run to the FA Cup quarter-finals say their success has come as absolutely “no surprise.”

Danny Cowley, manager of the non-league side, ably assisted by brother Nicky, have ensured the Imps are just one game away from a semi-final appearance at Wembley, after a stunning win over Premier League Burnley at the weekend.

It is the first time a non-league team has reached this stage of the world famous competition since 1914.

Danny, 38, was head of PE at the FitzWimarc School in Rayleigh, where he worked between 2002 until last summer.

Brother Nicky, 34, worked as head of boys’ PE at the school. He was there from 2006 to 2016. The pair both left last June to pursue the Lincoln job full-time.

Teacher Jason Ox, 22, was taught by Danny at FitzWimarc and was then subsequently mentored by Nicky during his teacher training at FitzWimarc.

He said: “They were the ones who inspired me to be a teacher. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, and they showed me the passion, enthusiasm and the hard work that’s needed.

“Being taught by Danny as an 11-year-old, it’s amazing to see what he and Nicky have gone on to achieve.

“It was just sad they left just as I became a qualified teacher, they were such a big help to me, I owe them a lot of support.

“They both played to a good level too, but were unfortunate with injuries, perhaps that’s what spurred them on to be such good managers.”

Jason added that aside from football, Nicky showed promise as a basketball player and coach.

Before Lincoln the brothers teamed up to guide Canvey side Concord Rangers to three promotions in just eight seasons.

And they almost took Braintree Town into the football league, losing out in the promotion play offs.

Collette Clayton, head of girls’ PE at FitzWimarc, believes the hard work and dedication shown by the brothers should inspire youngsters at the school.

She said: “Knowing them, it comes as no surprise they have made it this far.

“Their work ethic is what has made them achieve what they have both in the school, for Braintree and at Concord and now at Lincoln.”

Julie Parrott, assistant headteacher at FitzWimarc says everybody at the school is right behind the pair - and willing them to get to Wembley.

She said: “It’s all down to minute details, they are so talented at what they do.

“I have never seen two people so single minded.

“Facebook and Twitter has gone wild because of their success.

“Everybody is really pleased for them, it comes as no surprise, they were always going to be successful.”