This weekend’s clash with Stockport County looks set to be the biggest gate of the season for the Coasters, and full-back Zaine Francis-Angol is relishing the opportunity.

Having joined Motherwell as a youth prospect following his release from Tottenham Hotspur back in 2011, Zaine got to know a thing or two about playing in front of big crowds.

His debut came in a Champions League qualifier away at Panathinaikos, in front of 27,000 fans, before trips to Celtic Park in front of 60,000+ soon followed in his four year stay at Fir Park.

“Before my first time at Celtic Park, or any of the big places that I played at, it was on my mind, but I found that it just made me more excited for the game,” says Zaine.

“It gives you more of a buzz, and gets you more excited,” he continues. “Whether it’s your fans or the opposition, you just feed off of the energy.”

With crowds of over 6,000 this year, and a strong showing expected from the Coasters fans following the ‘special’ coach and ticket deal, Edgeley Park will no doubt be rocking on Saturday.

For Zaine, this is an opportunity that he knows he and the rest of the Fylde side will make the most of in their hunt for silverware.

“Sometimes on a cold winter night in front of smaller crowds it can be harder to get yourself up for it,” says Zaine.

“But when you’re in front of thousands with so much to play for, the adrenaline gets pumping, and the occasion really pushes you on.”

“It is a really big opportunity, and some of the lads that maybe haven’t played in front of the kind of crowd we’re expecting can’t wait.”

This Saturday’s game follows the goalless first-leg at Mill Farm, where the heavy rain and wind made for a tough encounter for the Coasters, with the Hatters having plenty of early opportunities.

Both sides had moments to win the game, with Tom Crawford and Nyan Bell both ruing late missed chances at either end, on an afternoon where the pitch took a real hammering.

“Stockport were a good side, very organised and with some players that can hurt you.”

“Lately the conditions have been so bad, and Saturday was another tough game in that sense,” says Zaine.

“It can kind of kill off our football when it’s like that, as it leaves things a bit more to chance, so we’re hoping that Saturday is better on that front.”

Both sides are vying for their first return to Wembley since 2008, where the Coasters (then Kirkham & Wesham) were crowned FA Vase champions, whilst Stockport clinched promotion to League One.

For Zaine however, the chance to play at Wembley would represent an altogether different return, as the East London born player explains.

“It would be a massive highlight of anyone’s career playing at Wembley, especially for me personally as I am a Londoner.”

“For my family and friends that I’ve been away from for quite a while now it would be an opportunity to hop on the train, and make that journey to come and celebrate the achievement,” says Zaine.

“There will be Premier League players that won’t get the chance to go to Wembley, and here we are in the National League, literally one game from being there.”

“That should get the lads right up for it, regardless of the occasion Saturday, the carrot on the end of the stick is just so big.”

Saturday’s Official Club Travel Deal

As announced earlier this week, the club have put on a fantastic deal for this travelling by the club coach.

Supporters can get their match ticket and travel for just £10 combined, or for free if they are under 16.

To take advantage of the travel and match ticket deal, read more here.