THE countdown to Wembley is underway for an amateur football club and its small army of fans.

In little over three weeks, Spennymoor Town FC will travel from County Durham to the iconic stadium in London to play in the FA Vase final against Tunbridge Wells.

The Northern League team booked its place at Wembley, beating Guernsey FC in the semi-final last month, and now fans can do the same at a new club shop.

Spennymoor Town Council has given the club use of a unit under Spennymoor Town Hall during the run-up to the big game and local company Signtime graphics donated signage to deck out the shop front.

Mayor George Tolley said: “The council was happy to loan the club the shop, we’re all supporting them.

“It is a one-off, the first time in the history of the club it has got to Wembley.

“Lots of our neighbours like Bishop Auckland, West Auckland and Crook have made it over the years, but it is has been a long time coming for Spennymoor.”

Coun Tolley feels strong personal ties to the club having been born in Tees Crescent, yards away from the gates to its Brewery Field ground, and he played for the youth team as a boy.

Club manager, Jason Ainsley, said: “The pressure was to get to Wembley, you can win the league every year, but people want to get to a final.

“Now we’re looking forward to what will be a big occasion for the players and fans, hopefully we can bring the trophy back to Spennymoor where I think it belongs.”

Tickets for return travel on supporters’ buses, priced £20, club memorabilia and clothing can all be bought in the new club shop, on High Street.

Jordan Rowcroft, who is helping to organise fans’ transport, said 400 tickets have been sold in the first few days and many more people are expected to drive or get a train to the capital.

He said: “We’ve had a lot of people I’ve never seen before who want to support the team in the final, there is a real buzz in the town.”

Tickets for the final against Tunbridge Wells, on Saturday May 4, are £15 for adults and £5 for under 16s from the website theFA.com/tickets, on 0844-9800656 or on the day at Wembley’s east box office.