Spackman comes to the aid of minnows

Scarborough have enlisted the help of Chelsea hero Nigel Spackman ahead of Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round clash at the McCain Stadium.

The former Chelsea midfielder is a good friend of Scarborough manager Russell Slade, first-team coach under Spackman when he was in charge at Sheffield United, and will provide scouting reports for the Conference club.

Spackman made more than 200 appearances in two spells at Chelsea and still does media and corporate work for the club, but on Saturday his sympathies will be with Scarborough.

Slade said: "I've been taking some advice from people I know and trust in the game and, hopefully, a plan will come together. Spacks is a good friend and I'll be speaking to him before Saturday. He's down at Chelsea quite a lot and does some media work for them, but I hope he'll help as much as possible.

"Our friendship means more than his loyalty to Chelsea. We had coffee last Thursday in London and go back a long way. We haven't gone into detail yet but he watches them a lot and is happy to help me. We're very humbled really that Chelsea are coming to our little stadium."

Scarborough have been hit by heavy rain over the last four days but the club are doing everything they can to combat the bad weather. A £12,500 pitch cover was installed yesterday and the club are confident the game will go ahead.

Slade said: "The pitch is very heavy so the covers have gone down. It would be a huge anti-climax if it had to be postponed."

The club are promising a day to remember. Sponsors McCain's will provide caviar and chips to fans and singer Francis Ruffelle, star of the West End musical Chicago, will sing the National Anthem and Abide With Me before the game.