CUP fever has taken hold in Shildon as the team gets ready for the big day on Sunday.

The FA Cup first-round tie away to Notts County has raised pulses all over the town, with many showing their support in novel ways.

It is the first time that Shildon FC have gone this far in the Cup in 42 years, and at least 1,000 fans will make the journey to Nottingham.

Chairman Gordon Hamp-ton, who has had his hair dyed in the team colours, said: "It is fantastic. I keep pinching myself to make sure that it is real. This is the result of two and a half years of sheer hard work by myself and the manager Ray Gowan and we are very proud of the team.''

It is not just the die-hard fans who stand on the terraces week in and week out who are making the journey.

Leader of the town council Garry Huntington is hoping to travel to Nottingham after the Remembrance parade.

He said: "We are so proud of what they have achieved and I really want to go and show my support.''

The Railwaymen stormed to victory by beating Stocksbridge Steels from Sheffield 6-0, with striker Garry Barnes scoring a hat-trick.

Paul Cole, who follows the team both home and away, said: "We won the league cup last year and we've had a fantastic season so far. I hope this is just the start. I wouldn't miss Sunday's game for the world."

Player coach David Bayles said the team was looking forward to the big game on Sunday.

He said: "There was a lot of pressure on us to do well against Stockbridge but now the pressure is off. We are looking forward to going down to Notts County."

Captain Danny Key said: "Nobody is expecting us to win but we are going there to try to do our best. There would be no point in going otherwise."