THEIR home games attract crowds of only about 150, but Durham City Football Club has a rapidly expanding fan base - in Eastern Europe.

Richard Kanocz became the club's first Hungarian backer a few days ago, after picking up a replica shirt in a Budapest jumble sale.

But the new following has already doubled its numbers - with Mr Kanocz recruiting his new-born son, Bendeguz Richard.

Ken Waterhouse, Durham City's commercial manager, said: "Richard wrote to us through our website, saying he was a Durham fan because he had bought a shirt for £2.

"It was as much a surprise for us as anyone.

"I don't know how it got there, but he asked if we had a badge or a new strip we could send him.

"Then we heard he'd had a son and signed him up as well."

Durham City, who play in the Arngrove Northern League first division, don't even have a supporters' club in their home city.

However, Mr Kanocz, a 26-year-old teacher and an aspiring football coach, says he wants to set up a Hungarian branch.

"It will be interesting to see what success he can achieve and the club will do its best to support him," said Mr Waterhouse.

"We are planning to send a few things across to him, and we are hoping he will do a bit of promotional work for us.

"He'd like to come across to watch a game, which would be great. I think he'd enjoy it.

"The club look forward to improving Anglo-Hungarian relations in the future."

Durham City play their first game of the season today, at their New Ferens Park home, against Bishop Auckland.

They will play a friendly against Sunderland on Wednesday, kick-off at 7.30pm. Tickets are £5 for adults, £2 for concessions.