FOOTBALL followers in Northwich will be able to watch one of the town’s teams play live on terrestrial television for the first time this weekend.

Northwich Victoria take on Charlton Athletic, who played in England’s Premier League as recently as 2007, in the FA Cup first round on Sunday afternoon.

ITV 1 will broadcast the whole game from 1.30pm.

“I’ve got butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it,” said Vics’ owner Jim Rushe, this week.

“It’s been hectic getting everything ready but we can’t wait for the match to start now.”

The cup clash marks the biggest match Northwich have played since they travelled to Sunderland in the competition’s third round almost four years ago.

But this weekend marks the biggest sporting occasion in the town since Winnington Park Rugby Club hosted first division giants Wasps in the Pilkington Cup more than a decade ago.

A crowd of more than 3,000 packed into Burrows Hill to watch the encounter in January 1996.

Mr Rushe, who bought the club off previous owner Mike Connett two years ago, hopes a similar number turns up to cheer Vics players on to what would be a huge FA Cup upset.

He said: “It’s the biggest game I’ve been involved in.

“The club has been through some really tough times over the past couple of seasons, so it’s great to be involved in a feel-good story for a change.”

Read all about Vics’ big day in the sports section.