Clarets fans at home and abroad are gearing up for Burnley Football Club's best chance of cup glory in over 20 years.

More than 4,000 Burnley fans in cars and 20 coaches are expected make the pilgrimage to Vicarage Road tomorrow for an FA Cup sixth round clash with fellow Division One side, Watford.

The prize on offer tomorrow is a semi-final place and a possible placefoot in the final of the world's most famous cup competition in May. Clarets fans at the game and in pubs and clubs across the globe will cheer their side all the way -- hoping not to get stung by the Hornets.

Expats from Burnley and Padiham in Canada will travel from Barrie, Ontario, to Toronto on Sunday morning to watch the game via satellite. Most of the Barrie Clarets emigrated to Canada during the 1970s and 80s and have kept in touch with all the Turf Moor action ever since.

The group watch games every Sunday at their local watering hole, Roosters. Member of the group Christine Dawson, said: "On behalf of Barrie, Ontario and Canada, we wish Burnley all the luck in the world and best wishes. We have a contingent travelling to Ontario to watch the game. Listen, you might hear us shouting!"

Paul Smith, of Barrie Clarets, said: "We are all looking forward to it and the fans will be 100 per cent behind the team. Hopefully, we will be able to have a good day out and get the victory."

Burnley MP Peter Pike, was unable to get a ticket for the match. He said: "They had sold out before I had even made my mind up about going. I shall watch the match on television. If they get through to the semi-finals it will be good for the club and the town. I will be rooting for them.

Greg Pope, MP for Hyndburn, is switching allegiance from his beloved Blackburn Rovers for the day. He said: "Everybody knows I am a Blackburn Rovers fan, but I think it would be fantastic for East Lancashire if Burnley won and then went on to the cup final. I will be watching them on television. I won't go as far as wearing a claret and blue scarf, but I will be urging them on to win."

Alistair Campbell, Tony Blair's official spokesman, was looking forward to the match and believed Burnley could win. He said: "I think, all being well, I'll be there. It was a possibility I might have been away because of work, but, hopefully, I am going to be there now. I have got my ticket.

"I was at Millwall during the week and I saw both the Fulham games and the game against Coventry and I think they are playing really well. If they play as they have been doing there is no reason why we can't get through to the semi-finals.

"The only problem then is the nightmare that the semi final ends up on the same day as the London Marathon, which I'm taking part in. I don't know what I'll do because I already have £200,000 in sponsorship. If they do get through it will be fantastic for the club and for the town. I think we will win. It's incredible we've got through as far as we have starting off with all those away games."

Bernard Ingham, Margaret Thatcher's former press secretary, will also be cheering for the Clarets. Bernard, who was raised in Hebden Bridge and was a regular at Turf Moor throughout his childhood, said: "I won't be able to watch the game but, if they can make it to the cup final it will make my year."

The Mayor of Burnley, Coun Gordon Birtwistle, said: "We all hope they do well and that they come out as winners. All of Burnley is behind the Clarets and wishes them well."

Leader of Burnley Council Stuart Caddy, added: "I would like to wish Burnley Football Club, Stan Ternent and the players a very successful day. I am confident they are going to come away from Watford with a place in the semi-final."

Fans who have not been able to get a ticket for the match will also be able to enjoy the atmosphere and watch the game on the big screen at town centre pubs.

Sean Riddell, manager of the Big Window, in Manchester Road, said: "It is on BBC2, but with it being the FA Cup and Burnley having a good chance of getting through to the semi-final, we are hoping the pub will be packed on Sunday. We will definitely be showing it on the big screen.

"There are only about 4,000 tickets and there is a big interest in it, but, obviously, not everyone will be able to go. Instead of sitting at home, watching it on their own it will be a much better atmosphere to come down here and watch it with friends and a pint or two."