LEISTON chairman Andy Crisp says he has been overwhelmed by the amount of support the club has received ahead of its FA Cup first round replay at Fleetwood tomorrow night.

Stuart Watson

LEISTON chairman Andy Crisp says he has been overwhelmed by the amount of support the club has received ahead of its FA Cup first round replay at Fleetwood tomorrow night.

At step five of the non-league pyramid the Suffolk club are the lowest ranked team left in the famous competition by far -

and the Ridgeons League Premier Division side's monumental run has really got the local football community excited.

Crisp said: “All of our fellow Ridgeons League teams have been very, very supportive. We have received lots of good luck messages and we obviously really appreciate that.”

Despite Leiston's replay being over 300 miles away - Fleetwood based just up the road from Blackpool - at least 120 fans have confirmed that they will be travelling up from Suffolk.

A number of committee members will pack out the spare places on the players' coach, while a further supporters coach is filled out with nearly 50 fans.

In addition, a small mini-bus of fans is leaving today in order to make a small holiday out of the trip, while many more are expected to be flying Leiston scarves out of car windows as they make their own way across the A14 and up the M6.

“The amount of interest this cup run has generated has been incredible,” said Crisp. “The away support we received at both Carshalton and Lewes in the earlier rounds was fantastic and we feel they could make the difference once again at Fleetwood.

“We are subsidising the places on the supporters' coaches to just £20 per person as way of a thank you for all their support so far.

“I know the players appreciate the backing and, while it's a bit of an old fashioned saying, they really could be our 12th man.”

Virtually every one of the Leiston players have been afforded two days off of their day jobs by their employers for the trip. The only player that is unable to travel is Luke Eagle who is away on an army training day.

Crisp said: “For all the employers to support the players the way they have has been fantastic.”

The Leiston players coach will leave at 8am tomorrow morning, while the supporters coach will set off an hour later at 9am.

A return journey on the coach costs just £20, while the club has organised bed and breakfast rooms in Blackpool for £40 per person (based on two sharing), or £70 for a single room. Both coaches will return to Suffolk on Wednesday.

To book your place on the coach and/or B&B, please call Claire on: 01728 635068.