Paulton chairman living in dreamland as the planning starts for their big date with City

Weds 28 Oct 09

For Paulton Rovers, it just keeps on getting better and better as the non-league club look set to pocket a £70,000 TV windfall when the Canaries come to town in round one of the FA Cup.

After an FA inspection yesterday, it was announced that the village side would be allowed to stage the tie at their modest home – where the average gate is only 150.

With ITV screening the match on Saturday November 7, kick off 12.45, it promises to be a day to remember for the people of north Somerset.

And to get the green light to play on home turf – as well as having ITV knocking on your door – has left Paulton chairman David Bissex speechless.

"It was a dream come true to draw Norwich out of the hat, but to get the game broadcast live on television as well has left me lost for words," he told the local media.

"It is going to be an unbelievable experience for everyone involved. We were always determined to get the game on at Winterfield Road.

"We have done fantastically well to get this far in the competition and of course it was tempting to get the game moved.

"We never could have dreamed of getting someone of Norwich's standing down here, but if you enter the competition, you have to do whatever you can to make sure that you play the ties on your home pitch, whatever the circumstances."

Paulton now have just 10 days to finalise the logistics of hosting the Norfolk club – who sit five tiers above them in the football pyramid.    Part 2 >>