Stafford Rangers hope to pack in more fans for FA Cup clash

Stafford Rangers are hoping to increase the capacity of their Marston Road home to pack in supporters for their FA Cup clash with Grimsby Town.

The club are set for a huge financial boost after reaching the first round proper for the first time in 20 years and had their tie with the Mariners selected for TV coverage.

New owner Nathan Owner described the game as ‘the hottest ticket in town’ and is eager to get as many fans as possible in the stadium to cheer on the side.

It is hoped that the tie will bring in a six-figure sum from a combination of FA Cup prize money, television revenue, ticket sales, merchandise and food and drink sales.

The capacity at Marston Road stands at around 3,000 but the club are understood to be in talks with the local authorities in a bid to work out a way to allow more people to attend the game, now set for Sunday November 8.

And owner Owen told the Express & Star: “We've got to figure out how to get more people in here now.

“It's only the hottest ticket in town, that's a nice problem to have.

“We can fit in the best part of 6,000 here, but we've got to fix some safety issues, some terracing issues, whatever else.

"We want to get all the people in here. We don't want people going up and down the M6 and on the train and stuff to Vale, Stoke, Wolves, Villa, Albion et cetera.

"Stay home, here in your town, watch a great football team for £10, eat award-winning pies, have beer that's very affordable and hang out with your friends.”

Rangers – who play in the Northern Premier Division One West – reached the first round proper for the first time in 20 years following their 5-0 demolition of Gateshead, who play three leagues above them, on Tuesday night.