TRADERS are pinning their colours to the mast ahead of an historic Wembley fixture for their town football club.

Support for FA Carlsberg Vase finalists, Spennymoor Town FC, is evident throughout the County Durham town where decorated windows can be spotted along the high street.

Spennymoor Town Council staff have created displays at the town hall and businesses ranging from bakers to solicitors have hung scarves, shirts and good luck messages for the team, which faces Tunbridge Wells on Saturday, May 4.

An exhibition of old football photographs has been created by father-and-son George and John Teasdale at their photography shop, The Studio.

The pictures come from a collection compiled by Mr Teasdale Snr, many of which feature in books he published with historian Tony Coia, (correct) and date back to 1909.

They include teams and supporters of Spennymoor United, the club’s previous incarnation, on memorable occasions such as the FA Cup third round tie with West Bromwich Albion in 1937.

Other teams featured include Spennymoor Wednesday AFC, a squad of shopkeepers who traded half days midweek and spent the afternoon playing at The Brewery Field, and Spennymoor Boys in 1935, which included Jimmy Armstrong who played twice for England Juniors and became town mayor.

Another business showing its support is Blades Barbers, on King Street, which gave manager Jason Ainsley, assistant manager Gavin Fell and players Lewis Dodds and Carl Beasley free haircuts so they look dapper on their big date at Wembley.

Salon owner, Susan Mearman, said: “I wanted to shop my support for the lads through the business.”

Mr Ainsley said: “I’ve been involved with the club for 25 years on and off, and I’ve never seen the town buzzing as it is now.

“Everyone is talking about it. I’m getting stopped in the street by everyone, people wishing me luck.

“The players are being asked to sign shirts, there are children getting excited at the prospect of going to see their team at Wembley. It’s just fabulous.”

*Tickets for Spennymoor's FA Carlsberg Vase Final against Tunbridge Wells cost £15 for adults and £5 for under-16s from TheFA.com/tickets or 0844-9800656. Return coach travel is £20 from the Wembley Club Shop, next to Spennymoor Town Hall, which is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and Saturday, 9am to 1pm, or from spennymoortownfc.co.uk.