Stafford Rangers awaiting another bumper Cup crowd

Stafford Rangers chief executive Dave Smith smiles at the prospect of another 3,000 crowd at Marston Road [Stafford Rangers FC] Stafford Rangers are awaiting another "bumper crowd" at their Marston Road home for Tuesday's home FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay with National League strugglers Gateshead. The Staffordshire side, a powerhouse of non-league football in the 1970s when they twice won the FA Trophy, were founder members when the English football authorities introduced the Alliance Premier as their first fifth tier in 1979. Rangers, where Stan Collymore began his career and both Steve Bull and Andy Mutch managed, have fallen on hard times since those days and are now in the eighth tier and fifth in the Northern Premier League Division One West. But, having held Gateshead 1-1 up in the north-east on Saturday, they will be into the first round of the Cup for the first time in 20 years if they can complete the job and win the replay on Tuesday night. They have already attracted 3,000 crowds twice in this Cup run - and would like to go even higher. "The limit is currently 3,130," Stafford Rangers chief executive David Smith told BBC Radio Stoke. "That is the maximum we could get in. But we have got a meeting with the local council to see if we can increase that number. "Whatever happens, it will be 3,000 crowds three games running - and that's massive. For the club, financially, it's superb. But the big thing is what it's doing for the town. "There is a real buzz about Stafford. Tickets are selling so quick it's unbelievable." Four sides reach round one of FA Cup for first time "We've now hit a problem that, with Gateshead being a Step One side, we're not allowed to sell beer on the pitchside. "But we'll be organised. We'll find a solution. We'll make sure everybody is fed and watered properly." The last time Stafford Rangers got to this stage was 2020 when they lost 4-1 at home to Skelmersdale United. But manager Graham Deakin is convinced that his side can go one better. "I'm proud that we've gone up there and competed with a Step One side, but I'm just disappointed that we didn't win. We were told by so many that we should have done. That's testimony to the confidence we have created, that we could go up there to Gateshead, get a result and still be disappointed. But, back at Marston Road in front of a bumper crowd, let's see what happens." Tuesday's replay comes after Monday evening's televised draw so Rangers will know the identity of their opponents. When asked who he would like to face, Deakin reluctantly said: "Sheffield Wednesday or Leicester away probably, but really my attention is devoted only to making sure my team are up for it again on Tuesday night."