Hythe Town chairman Gary Johnson appeals for fans to turn out as the Cannons face making a loss on their FA Trophy fourth-round clash with Chorley

One of the biggest days in Hythe Town’s history is set to come at a cost - and they need your help.

The Cannons are in line to make a loss on this weekend’s FA Trophy last-32 clash against Chorley, unless they win and land the £5,250 prize money.

Their National League North visitors are entitled to £2,000 in travel expenses and £1,500 towards overnight accommodation costs, as set out in the FA national competition rules, while the four matchday officials are likely to cost £600-700.

There’s great excitement at Hythe, having reached the fourth round of the Trophy for the first time in their history.

But the figures don’t make great reading and, while any loss is shared, they need as many fans as possible at Reachfields on Saturday (3pm) to get behind Steve Watt’s side.

“When you get into a national competition and you draw a club that then wants to travel the night before, expenses will be quite considerable and unless we win we potentially lose money,” said Hythe chairman Gary Johnson.

“With Chorley coming five-and-a-half hours, we’re only expecting probably 40 supporters to travel.

“Unless we win it will not be a profitable exercise but it will potentially be a good PR exercise.

“It’s all in the national rules of the FA competitions.

“If a club travels, it’s £2,000 for their travelling expenses, it’s £1,500 that they claim for their overnight accommodation.

“Then we’ve got the referees’ expenses on top of that.

“Let’s say £600-700 for the officials so let’s call it a round figure of £4,500 by the time we turn our floodlights on and pay some stewards and do all the things we need to do.

“It’s a great position to be in, the last 32, and we really need all the support we can possibly get on Saturday.

“Hythe Town needs