Kidderminster v West Ham: ‘You can feel the buzz throughout the town’

It is Tuesday night at Aggborough and a couple of hours before kick-off against Leamington Town the Harriers Arms, a pub attached to the main stand, is heaving. Later, after a 3-0 victory that moves the club four points off the top of the National League North, the Kidderminster manager, Russell Penn, mingles there with elderly fans to chew the fat. It is also the place where celebrations continued after the team beat Reading to secure a spot in the FA Cup fourth round, with West Ham the visitors on Saturday. “I was apparently dancing around with a mop at midnight,” says the chairman, Richard Lane. “I want to make sure that everybody who has put a huge amount of effort in, on and off the pitch, enjoys this moment.”

For the past couple of weeks, it has been a diet of 14-hour days and precious little sleep for those behind the scenes. West Ham represent the club’s ninth game in four weeks. There are four full-time office staff – five if you count Toby the apprentice – including Helen Macdonald, the ticket office manager whose duties extend to preparing for 500 hospitality guests, and who, as the longest-serving staff member, has witnessed the highs and lows of the past 20 years. She worked as a volunteer when West Ham last came to the Worcestershire town in 1994, eliminating Harriers in the fifth round of the Cup. “In years gone by, as family and friends we would often speak about the time we played West Ham,” Macdonald says. “I only came in and made a few cups of tea but it was a massive occasion. It is brilliant for the area, local businesses, families; everyone has bought into it.”

As Macdonald speaks, the assistant manager, Jimmy O’Connor, pops into reception. Outside the club shop (which stocks commemorative mugs