Birmingham City fans travelling to the Carling Cup Final will go from one footballing extreme to the other when they enjoy a non-league game 24 hours before the big match.

Up to 200 Bluenoses will aim to double the average attendance at Hendon FC as they enter the party spirit the day before Blues’ historic Wembley showdown with Arsenal on February 27.

Extra revenue in ticket sales, matchday programmes, food and drink will net the club a £12,000 windfall – a third of its projected season-long shortfall between income and outlay.

Blues fans Phil Marshall, Dave Holliday and Richard Walker came up with the warm-hearted idea during a discussion on an internet forum.

Mr Marshall was born in Solihull but will travel to London from his adopted home in St Helens, near Liverpool.