VOLUNTEERS at Winchester City FC are drumming up trade before their next much-awaited delivery of merchandise arrives.

The club shop has been completely wiped out of their most popular stock after the team romped to victory and reached the final of the FA Vase.

Record numbers have been attending home games and it seems everyone wants to buy their own little piece of the City memorabilia.

At the top of supporters' wish lists have been scarves, hats and badges, which have all flown off the shelves.

Rod Youngman, who runs the club shop, has never known anything like it.

"The average takings in the club shop for an ordinary match is £7 to £10. At the last semi-final match we took £250. We sold out of all of our scarves and badges and we'd thought we had an adequate supply. It ended up with me having to sell my own scarf for half price so I'm now devoid of a scarf myself! We are victims of our own success."

A new order has been placed and is expected to arrive some time this week. Cheering horns, jester's hats, car stickers, replica shirts and rosettes will all feature among the usual stock of scarves and badges. Thousands of fans are expected to travel to Birmingham's St Andrew's to watch the clash with AFC Sudbury in the final on May 16. The shop is always open at the Denplan City Ground at Abbott's Barton before, after and at half-time of every match.

ARE you going to travel to the Midlands to see Winchester City in the FA Vase Final? Maybe you are planning something special to celebrate the club's success or have an interesting or unusual link to the team. If so, we want to hear about it. Call Sarah Jones at the Daily Echo's Winchester office on 01962 854 355 or e-mail Sarah Jones using the link above.