Kidderminster Harriers dedicate tie to club's loyal fanbase

Harriers' players left for Wearside this afternoon while an army of around 4,000 supporters will follow tomorrow to see the Conference side take on Premier League Sunderland in the FA Cup fourth round.

And Mr Serrell believes the trip to the Stadium of Light is a reward for the fans groups and local businessmen who gave money to help save the club during a financial crisis in November 2010.

"Just over three years ago the club went within two or three hours of going into administration," he said.

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"That's how close it got and it was only the hard work of the supporters, our independent supporters' trust, benefactors and all the stakeholders pulling in the right direction that means we managed to get the club, step-by-step, from that position to where we are now.

"There were benefactors that put money in to help the club and the club will be eternally grateful.

"People put in hard-earned money to save the club and none of the money we've earned so far from this cup run has gone to pay off debts because there aren't any debts at the club now. It's about putting the money in the bank and spending it wisely."

Harriers had sold around 3,900 tickets by last night and were hopeful of passing the 4,000 mark today, with the ticket office due to close at 6pm. Around 50 coaches will take fans to theStadium of Light for the meeting with Gus Poyet's side, who reached the Capital One Cup Final on Wednesday by beating Manchester United on penalties.

Mr Serrell said: "It's a long way up to Sunderland so for people to want to travel in those numbers to support Kidderminster is fantastic.

"It was very emotional for me at Peterborough in the third round because the fans were right at the side of the directors' box and the chanting was absolutely superb.

"It was great to see the people enjoying themselves. It will be even better at the Stadium of Light because there will be about 4,000 people all supporting Kidderminster.

"And if we do get that opportunity to win the game or score a goal, to see their faces will be absolutely superb and it will stay with me for the rest of my life."

The players were boarding a coach this afternoon to head to a hotel in the North East ahead of tomorrow's game.

Thousands of supporters will follow tomorrow – many of them boarding buses, which leave from Aggborough at 8am. Fans are asked to arrive from 6.30am and enter the ground through the East Stand turnstiles. They will then queue along the North and Main Stands before boarding coaches through the South Stand exit gates.

Ahead of the game, people in the town have been showing their support this week.

C&S Solicitors has put up large banners outside its offices in Comberton Hill.

The game will be extra special for practice manager Ian Cummings, who will see his sons Oliver, aged seven, and Samuel, nine, come on to the pitch as mascots for the Harriers.

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