David Griggs is calling on the Heacham and wider community to come out in their droves as the record-breaking Magpies look to clinch an eighth successive promotion tomorrow.
The Magpies – two points clear at the summit – host Haverhill Borough knowing that a win will be good enough to elevate the club to the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division.
But waiting in the wings are second-placed Downham who could still win the First Division North title themselves, if they can beat Framlingham at the SCL Memorial Field and Heacham slip up.
Downham could also still pip their West Norfolk rivals to glory if Heacham only draw and they defeat The Castlemen by more than five goals.
It sets up a tantalising final day and Heacham boss Griggs said: “The players have given themselves a massive chance to go and win the league on Saturday.
“I hope lots of family and friends will be over to support them and of course the wonderful people who have watched and supported us throughout the season as well. Support will play a huge part.”
Griggs, whose side won 2-1 at Leiston Reserves on Tuesday night, thanks to goals from Lewis Gibson and Ben Dear, is determined to finish the job in style.
“We want to put on a bit of a show for a big crowd,” he said.
“It’s the biggest game in the club’s history, but we’ve been telling the players every week that it’s our biggest game with the journey we’ve been on.
“There’s been a few games recently perhaps where we haven’t been at our best, so it would be nice if we could put on a good performance for the fans. It’s another huge occasion for the club and everyone behind the scenes, but for me it is just another game of football.
“At the start of the season if you’d said to me that we’d be challenging to finish fifth or sixth I’d have snapped your right arm off.
“We never expected to be in this position at the start of the season.”
Heacham are expecting their record attendance of 298 against Swaffham Town to be broken as the tiny village braces itself for another momentous afternoon.
Downham are also expecting a bumper crowd for their game as they look to gatecrash the Heacham party.
Joint boss Craig Dickson said: “Saturday could be a preview of the play-off final with us playing third-placed Framlingham in the last game of the season.
“We were hoping to have control of the destination of the title going into this game but unfortunately we will go into it knowing we need a big favour from Haverhill Borough.
“I’m not sure if Heacham have dropped points in back to back fixtures all season, so it would be a shock to see them fall short of the required target.
“I expect an entertaining fixture at the Memorial between two of the best teams in the league and we will play the game with the play-offs in mind, as we fully expect Heacham to pick up the points they need.
“Hopefully we will continue to grow our support which has been an incredible rise from last season and hoping to see big numbers Saturday and for the play-off fixtures.”
