One of the biggest days in Hythe Town’s history is set to come at a cost - and they need your help.

The Cannons are in line to make a loss on this weekend’s FA Trophy last-32 clash against Chorley, unless they win and land the £5,250 prize money.

Their National League North visitors are entitled to £2,000 in travel expenses and £1,500 towards overnight accommodation costs, as set out in the FA national competition rules, while the four matchday officials are likely to cost £600-700.

There’s great excitement at Hythe, having reached the fourth round of the Trophy for the first time in their history.

But the figures don’t make great reading and, while any loss is shared, they need as many fans as possible at Reachfields on Saturday (3pm) to get behind Steve Watt’s side.

“When you get into a national competition and you draw a club that then wants to travel the night before, expenses will be quite considerable and unless we win we potentially lose money,” said Hythe chairman Gary Johnson.

“With Chorley coming five-and-a-half hours, we’re only expecting probably 40 supporters to travel.

“Unless we win it will not be a profitable exercise but it will potentially be a good PR exercise.

“It’s all in the national rules of the FA competitions.

“If a club travels, it’s £2,000 for their travelling expenses, it’s £1,500 that they claim for their overnight accommodation.

“Then we’ve got the referees’ expenses on top of that.

“Let’s say £600-700 for the officials so let’s call it a round figure of £4,500 by the time we turn our floodlights on and pay some stewards and do all the things we need to do.

“It’s a great position to be in, the last 32, and we really need all the support we can possibly get on Saturday.

“Hythe Town needs people to come and support us.

“It needs people to come through the gate and get behind Watty and all the team.

“We’d need a lot of people through the gate to break even but at this moment in time, it’s fantastic for the club.

“It’s probably the club’s biggest day in recent history and to be in the last 32 and potentially the smallest club in the competition, it’s great.

“It’s next the best thing to the FA Cup but we do need to attract people through the gate.

“It’s a great achievement for the club and it would be even better if we got a really good gate, but our gates are not that good.

“So if there’s any floating supporters, come down to Hythe on Saturday.

“We need your support and if there’s any local business who want to get behind Hythe, we’ve lots of commercial opportunities to get involved with the football club and help us take it further.

“We’re the last club at our level in this competition and we’re looking forward to Chorley coming.

“They’re fourth in National League North.

“It’s a tough gig but who knows? If we dream, we could be in the last 16. Dreams can become reality.”

With Chorley due to leave Lancashire at 2pm on Friday, the Cannons have arranged a midday pitch inspection.