THE atmosphere in a North-East town has reached fever pitch as its football team prepares to play at Wembley tomorrow. (Saturday, May 4)

Spennymoor Town FC are travelling down to London today and more than 5,000 fans will follow them by road, rail and even air- with lifelong supporters flying from as far away as Moscow, Boston and Dubai to see them in the FA Carlsberg Vase final.

As the team coach left The Brewery Field ground just before 11am this morning (Friday, May 3) players were buzzing with excitement and determined to bring the silverware home to Spennymoor, in County Durham.

Club captain Daniel ‘Bobby’ Moore, sadly sidelined by a broken ankle, said: “Most of us have hardly been home in a month with all the games and build-up but it is a once in a lifetime occasion for most of us so the lads are soaking it up and will do all they can to win.”

Even if the Moors are not victorious at Wembley the excitement will continue on Monday (Monday, May 6) when Spennymoor Town Council hosts a civic reception and an open-top bus tour of the town.

Straight after a league game away to FA Vase semi-finalists, Shildon, which kicks off at 11am on Monday, players and officials will head to The Brewery Field, on Wood Vue, to board a 1959 Bristol Lodekka classic coach along with a small group of civic dignitaries including Mayor George Tolley.

From about 2.15pm the bus will travel around the town and surrounding villages where residents are being urged to show their continued support for the team by lining the streets to cheer on their Wembley heroes.

The tour will end at Spennymoor Town Hall, on High Street, where the council will roll out the red carpet to welcome the team to reception and meal for around 120 guests, paid for from the mayor’s hospitality budget.

Town clerk Pauline Waterson said: “In the past we’ve put on similar events for Spennymoor Boxing Academy when they’ve has success abroad and want to do the same for our football team.

“By qualifying for the final of four trophies in a season they hold a record so this reception is in recognition of that.

“Playing at Wembley is a milestone for the club and the town, we’re confident they can win so hopefully lots of people will turn out to celebrate and see them parading the FA Vase around town.”