“THERE is nothing quite like live FA Cup football”.

Chippenham Town manager Mark Collier is calling on all Bluebirds fans to come down to the Thornbury Surfacing Stadium on Sunday and roar his side onto a potential FA Cup ‘giant killing’ against League Two outfit Northampton Town.

Just days before one of the biggest games in Chippenham’s history takes place, there are still tickets remaining in the home section – which will house around 2,000 Bluebirds supporters – and Collier is keen to see his team surrounded by three walls of blue and white as they aim to reach the second round proper for the very first time.

The Chippenham manager admits the temptation of staying on the sofa and watching highlights of the game could prove too strong for some, but he has pleaded with anyone who might still be considering plans on Sunday lunchtime to come along and give their support to their local team.

Collier said: “Chippenham Town is on the map. We’re on the BBC in the day and Match of the Day in the evening, but there’s nothing quite like a bit of live FA Cup football.

“We’re going to need all the help we can get, and the supporters can make a real difference to us without a doubt.

“I’d like it if we can make the outside a sea of blue, like we did in one of the qualifying games, and really get behind the team to give us every opportunity because I think the fans’ vocal support will be vital to us.”

The Chippenham boss is confident a number of non-league clubs will cause ‘shocks’ this weekend and says his own side can be one of those lucky few so long as his players embrace the challenge head on.

Collier said: “They’re a Football League side with 52 places between us, so we’ll have to be at our very, very best and we’ll have to have all the luck going our way.

“And they’ll have to play very, very poorly for us to get anything from the game.

“However, there will be cup shocks in this round – there always are – and we’d like to be one of them.

“It’s a huge challenge that has been put in front of us, but it’s one that we’re looking forward to and looking to embrace.”