BACUP manager Brent Peters refuses to call this tie a derby because Stand, who play in Haslingden, have their roots in Prestwich.

But there is enough spice to the match at Ewood Bridge without it being a derby as four former Stand players are in Bacup's squad to face their former club.

Paul Thompson scored seven goals for Stand this season before signing for Bacup last week. He will make his debut tomorrow.

Goalkeeper Tommy Allen, Micky Bartholomew and utility player Lee Anderson played in the Stand team last season that won the NWCL second division title.

Most of the players from last season's squad followed manager Nick Davies out of the door in the summer following the leagyue's refusal to promote the club due to their ground, and Joe Murty has come in and put together a team that has surprised people.

"It's a new regime there and it will be interesting especially as some of their former players play here now," said Peters, who said it was no surprise that he was able to tempt striker Thompson away from his former club.

"It is like Man United trying to sign a player from Southampton; Man United are a bit more ambitious," he said.

"With all due respect to Stand, we are a club that is going somewhere.

"We are having our pitch sorted out, new floodlights, an astroturf, new changing facilities, tiered seating.

"The hard part is getting out of this division but that is my priority."

Stand manager Joe Murty said: "I was disappointed to lose Paul, I'm always disappointed to lose players, but it's all down to finances.

"Unfortunately we cannot afford to pay the players the money they want.

"But we are still doing okay, especially considering everything that happened here over the summer. We should get there, stability is what we need."