Boss wants Chasetown upset

The Scholars take on a Port Vale side five tiers above them in the football league pyramid in a fairytale FA Cup second round clash for the Southern League club.

And while Blakemore admits they are a "one in 1,000 shot" to cause one of the Cup's biggest ever shocks he is calling on his players to summon up reserves of endeavour and adrenaline to justify the faith of the 2,500 fans travelling to the Potteries.

"This game is massive – it is the biggest match in our history," he declared..

"We all remember Oldham a few years ago but this is bigger for me because we're in with a shout of getting into the third round of the FA Cup, as crazy as that sounds.

"There is a huge buzz round the football club and it feels like we've put the town on the map again, which is an absolutely tremendous feeling for everyone.

"Now it is up to us. I've told the players we have to believe that we can cause the upset and do the unthinkable."

The Scholars will be backed by a huge travelling army of supporters at Vale Park and Blakemore is urging them to play their part in the club's historic moment.

"They have a huge part to play – if they give us anything like the backing we got in the last few rounds then that will up the adrenaline even further.

"They have already created history by getting this far. We know we've got something like a one in a 1,000 chance of beating them but that is what the FA Cup is all about.

"It is up to us be ready, willing and prepared for the game because the only way we're going to be able to bridge the gap is through sheer endeavour and adrenaline."

Whatever happens on Sunday the Scholars will take their place alongside Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool in tomorrow's third round draw.

"That is a great little quirk of fate for us and we'll all be glued to the TV sets tomorrow.

"But we won't be taking our minds off the game because if we do we'll get absolutely hammered," said the manager.