Going head-to-head in the dugout with a Premier League manager is a dream most football fans will never get the chance to live out.

For one Chigwell resident, however, that ambition became a reality after winning a fund-raising auction to lead Dagenham & Redbridge when they take on David Moyes’ West Ham United.

The match, which took place after the time of going to press, saw Gary Singh shepherd the Daggers after making a winning bid of £2,800.

As a season-ticket holder at West Ham and long-time follower of Dagenham, Gary could not think of a better way to make his managerial bow.

“It is brilliant, I found out on Friday and I couldn’t believe it,” Gary told the Guardian Series on Tuesday. “It will be surreal to be in the dugout.

“I am a West Ham season ticket holder and have followed Dagenham since 1996, so to manage them is special and to do it in a game with both teams playing is brilliant.”

With all the money raised from the match going to Dagenham, Gary’s £2,800 bid will provide a positive boost to a club close to his heart amid ongoing financial uncertainty.

The Hammers have agreed to play a strong side, despite their Premier League struggles as they take a break from action due to the international break.

The Daggers will come up against a West Ham side which has been in turmoil after a run of poor results which culminated in serious crowd trouble during the 3-0 loss to Burnley at London Stadium.

With the pressure mounting on Moyes, Gary jokingly says he will set out to add to the embattled Scot’s woes by recording a surprise win over the Hammers.

“I think I will apologise to him (Moyes) because for him to have a fan in the other dugout will be strange, but it will be good for me,” he said.

“It is pressure on him and he has had a bad few results. They have been on a team building trip to Miami to help pick things up.

“It is against an amateur manager so if Dagenham won, even if it is not West Ham’s best team, some fans will not be happy.

“They will be asking how an amateur off the couch can beat a David Moyes team.”

With his only previous experience coming at seven and 11-a-side level, Gary, whose CV is also bolstered by plenty of hours on Football Manager, is a novice in the extreme heading into the game.

He nonetheless is hopeful of causing an upset and giving the home fans plenty to celebrate against their London rivals at Victoria Road.

He said: “Dagenham & Redbridge fans would love it if we could get a win and I have had quite a few messaged saying to get the win for them.

“For me I would be able to say I have a 100 per cent record of playing one and winning one.

“There’s even a temptation to bring myself on for the last 10 minutes if we need a late goal, definitely.”