Whitstable Town boss Nicky Southall hopes the town unites to roar the Oystermen another step closer to a fairytale Wembley appearance.

The home of football will be just three wins away for Southall’s side if they can knock Kent big-guns Ebbsfleet United – former winners and 60-places higher in the football ladder – out of the FA Trophy in the second round at The Belmont on Saturday.

A four-figure crowd is hoped for and Southall says his wish is that, win-or-lose, the supporters who turn out will be enticed back to the club.

He said: “What an opportunity it is for us. Hopefully it is a good game, it is exciting and it’s a proper cup tie in front of a big crowd.

“We want people to support their local club. I want us to get back to our roots, engage with fans and hopefully if they can come along and share in a big game like this, they’ll come back for the next game.”

He added: “We are the massive underdogs but we’re OK with that. We have been underdogs when we knocked two Ryman Premier sides out away from home in the previous two rounds and we came from behind to do it.

“On paper they are massive favourites but paper doesn’t go out there and kick a ball about. It’s a great moment for us and we go into it without any pressure.

“We are capable of winning but we need everyone to play to a high level on the day, like an eight-or-nine out of 10. If we can do that, then we can cause a shock. We’ll need to start better than we have done lately though. We can’t keep having to come from behind.”

Southall, however, insisted that the magnitude of the five-round, £17,450 Trophy run should not be forgotten even in defeat.

He said: “If we could get a result it would be a major achievement but let’s not forget the fact that even getting this far is a remarkable accomplishment.

“There are not even any Ryman League Premier Division teams left at this stage and I’m sure there are lots of clubs in higher divisions who are looking on enviously.”

Southall is waiting on the availability of defender Ian Cox who has proved so influential in the run so far.