St Albans City FC may have lost their FA Cup game last weekend but the Saints have won the hearts of legions of supporters, as well as appearing on national television.
More than 3,200 people flocked to Clarence Park on Saturday where they saw SACFC, in what was billed as the biggest day for the club in many years, being trounced 8-1 by Mansfield Town.
During the build-up to the first round FA Cup tie, Sky Sports’ Frankie Fryer visited St Albans to film in various key locations including the city’s station.
On Saturday’s Soccer AM programme he was shown visiting historic Verulamium Park, standing near the Roman ruins and informing viewers that those who built the wall would return and “finish the job”.
Frankie also visited The Horn pub in Victoria Street and Verulam Golf club, London Road, where “some geezer called Samuel Ryder” presented the first ever Ryder Cup.
Near the Clock Tower he chatted with a “random traffic enforcement officer” before visiting St Albans South Signal Box and having a huge moth placed on his head at Butterfly World.
He spent time with SACFC supporters at “one of the oldest boozers in the country,” Ye Olde Fighting Cocks.
And while at the Saints’ home, Clarence Park, where he met legends and current players, Frankie glanced across the pitch and sang out of tune, “My garden shed is bigger than this.”
After the game one of the club’s owners, Lawrence Levy, thanked residents for their support and said, “it’s been fabulous for the city.”
Over 1,000 programmes were sold on the day, and according to the SACFC’s Tom Norman, public relations, only 400 visitors among the more than 3,200-strong crowd were there for Mansfield.
Prior to the match David Clarke, the Harpenden Paralympic star who retired as captain of Britain’s blind football squad last year, was announced as a club ambassador.
Lawrence said: “David is a regular supporter of the club and having someone held in such high esteem in the football world as our ambassador is an honour for the Saints.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here