Boss Sandy wants Diamonds to make 2,000-strong travelling army proud
Elliot Sandy says the fact AFC Rushden & Diamonds will be backed by a travelling army of 2,000 supporters at Burton Albion on Saturday is 'unbelievable'.
And he is making it his absolute priority that every single one of them leaves the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday evening bursting with pride at the team they follow.
Diamonds will be aiming to create a huge upset in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup, as they take on a Burton side that plays five divisions above them in the English football pyramid.
Gary Bowyer's side are currently sitting 15th in the third tier, and they take on a Diamonds side sitting 12th in the Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midlands Division.
On paper, with the bookies and with the vast majority of football fans everywhere, the Brewers are huge favourites to progress into round two.
Sandy knows there is always the chance of an upset in any football match and that is the dream, but more than anything on Saturday, he just wants his players to put on a show for the visiting fans.
"There will be close to 2,000 Diamonds fans travelling, which is unbelievable really," said Sandy.
"It is a real credit to them and the club, and how far we have come in the past 18 months.
"They are going to be loud, as that's how it is with away fans.
"They are normally very loud, and you hear them at any level that they have come for a really good day.
"We just hope that we can give them a performance to be proud of.
"I am sure they will be proud of us anyway, for what we have achieved so far, but I think the biggest thing for me is I want us to go there and show what we are about, and what we can do.
"If that is not good enough, then that's fair enough.
"So we do want to enjoy the day, of course, but we are not just going there for a day out. We have a football match to try and get through."
Diamonds are set to be at full strength for the big game.
Former Sheffield United hitman Billy Sharp has come out of retirement to fill the void left by James Clifton’s suspension, and key trio Matty Warburton, John-Joe O’Toole and Bruno Andrade are all expected to be available, having sat out last weekend’s 4-2 loss at Carlton Town.