THEY'VE been dubbed the footballing minnows - the soccer underdogs who have battled their way into what promises to be one of the most extraordinary FA Cup matches ever.

Humble Harrogate Railway will undoubtedly be stretched to the limit when they welcome the relative might of Second Division Bristol City to their home ground.

But, should they win, lose or draw tomorrow, the plucky amateurs will certainly have carved their place in the hearts and minds of even the most casual football supporters.

Harrogate has simply gone soccer mad.

The Railwaymen usually attract gates of about 100 to their small, and spectacularly sloping, Station View ground, in Starbeck.

But for tomorrow's all-ticket extravaganza, 3,600 will be squeezed into temporary stands.

To mark the occasion, the town's Daleside Brewery, just over the road from the ground, has created a special beer and given it the very apt name of FA Cup Fever.

Whether it will be drunk to congratulate or commiserate has yet to be seen but head brewer Craig Witty, a former footballer himself, has already promised a firkin to the players for after the match.

Local butcher Andrew Mitchell would normally be busy with Christmas preparations at this time of year, but the football has put the festive fare on the back burner.

Instead, it is sausages and burgers in the home team's distinctive red and green colours that have got the customers clamouring for more.

He said: "Everybody in the town is involved in the football."

Even the normally stern facade of the local council has crumpled into a smile and it has formally sent the team congratulations for getting so far in the competition.

Forgetting political differences, members have also voted unanimously that, regardless of the outcome, the would-be giant killers will be treated to a civic reception.

Financially, too, the club, which normally plays in the lowly Northern Counties East League, is reaping big benefits from its runaway performance in the cup.

Clearing six rounds has brought £66,000 into the club's coffers and appearing live on Sky TV will bring it a further £100,000. The success has also brought in £8,100 from the FA Charity Shield, cash which is expected to be split between St Michael's Hospice, in Harrogate, and the town's hospital radio service.

And on a smaller scale, it's not just the tickets for the match that have been disappearing fast - all the scarves in the club's stock have gone.

"We're sold out and won't be getting any more in time for the big match," said club chairman Dennis Bentley.

If the Railwaymen win tomorrow - and only the most cynical locals would bet otherwise - the celebrations are likely to continue for days.

Player who's expecting a double celebration

HARROGATE player Jimmy Gore is hoping there will be double cause for celebration this weekend as his team prepares for its biggest game ever.

Jimmy, 26, will be playing for Harrogate Railway against Bristol City on the same weekend that his wife, Kate, 25, is expecting to give birth to their first child.

Midfielder Jimmy, of Severus Avenue, Acomb, York, said that while he did not want the two events to clash, he was hoping that the weekend would bring a double cause for celebration.

He said: "The baby is a definite. I am just hoping we can do well on Sunday as well."

He said that while he would be on the pitch at the club's Station View ground, one eye would be on the stands as Mrs Gore, who was due to give birth on Monday, will be among the supporting crowd.

Jimmy said: "I am hoping they do not clash but, if they do, I am hoping the labour will last long enough for me to get to the hospital."

The birth is planned to take place in York District Hospital but Mr Gore said the baby may end up being born in Harrogate.

He is confident that the Railwaymen can beat City, and said: "It's the stuff dreams are made of, we have got to stay positive.

"I would need at least a week to get over the football if we won, but if the baby was born as well it would be a double prize for me," he said.