Ramsgate have sold a whopping 1,800 tickets for tonight’s Kent Senior Cup tie against Margate.

The Thanet rivals meet in a first-round tie at Southwood that’s captured the imagination of locals.

Both clubs have bigger fish to fry this season, particularly being in the same division for the first time in 15 years, but that hasn’t stopped fans snapping up tickets.

Sales are now closed and there’s no pay-on-the-day option.

Ramsgate say it will be their biggest derby attendance since the 1960s, eclipsing the 1,762 at Southwood for the Boxing Day league derby in 2006.

There will be 1,400 home fans - including hundreds of youngsters - with 400 from Margate.

“Hopefully it’s a good night that showcases Thanet football,” said Ramsgate manager Ben Smith.

“It’s on the map right now, let’s be honest, there’s a lot of eyes on Thanet football.

“I’ve said before can we get another player from the area doing what Leroy Lita did and the only way that happens is if they see big nights like this and it inspires someone.

“Rivalry aside, let’s hope it’s a really good game of football and one that gets people wanting to come back to non-league football.”

With Rams enjoying a 100% record in Isthmian South East and still in the FA Cup and FA Trophy, Smith is set to make use of his squad tonight.

But he still intends to field a strong team and give the crowd plenty of entertainment.

“We’ll put out a side that will test Margate but the game is not our priority this season, that’s for sure,” said Smith.

“We’ve got players that have played a lot of minutes.

“I’m not going to put all the young lads out but it’s not a game where I’m going to risk anyone, absolutely not.

“I’m sure Margate will feel the same.

“They’re out of the Trophy now, so they might put a stronger side out in this cup, but it’s the league we’re more concerned with.”

Goals from Joe Taylor and Lewis Gard saw Ramsgate to a 2-1 FA Trophy win over Raynes Park Vale on Saturday.

The hosts finished with 10 men after Aaron Barnes picked up a second yellow card after incorrectly thinking he’d been waved back on following treatment.

Rams have been drawn at home to last season’s title rivals Cray in the final qualifying round on October 5.

“It’s a tough draw but a nice one,” said Smith.

“They’ve not changed that much in terms of personnel so it’s one where we can go, ‘OK, we’ve got a new set of players, how far away from them are we now?’

“We’re not under any pressure to win cup games this season, none at all, but it will be a good barometer of where we’re at.”