Non-league AFC Totton had a bumper crowd for their cup win over Folland Sports after offering free tickets to Preston fans who travelled to Hampshire for their postponed Championship game.

Seventh-tier Totton gave an alternative for Lilywhites supporters wanting to avoid a wasted 490-mile round trip.

About 60 Preston fans arrived at Snows Stadium to cheer on the Stags.

“We went on to all our social media channels and directly contacted the football club for all of those travelling fans,” said Totton chief executive Steve Brookwell.

“We asked supporters to come down to the Snows Stadium, it was an opportunity to embrace what football is all about, which is community spirit between fans of all clubs.”

Totton played out a 3-1 victory in the Southampton Senior Cup to reach the semi-finals of the competition.

Meanwhile, Preston are offering fans who travelled to Hampshire a £15 contribution to their travel costs, because of the inconvenience of the postponement.

Historic connection between the sides

Prior to the game, the non-league side smartly shared their connection with the Championship team – as their manager Jimmy Ball is the grandson of former Preston manager Alan Ball Sr.

“Our posts went viral,” added Brookwell.

“The response was huge, we had about 350 supporters on the night and about 60 were Preston North End fans.”

Brookwell opened up the turnstiles, offering free access for supporters of both sides who had valid tickets for the postponed game.

Preston shared their appreciation for Totton on social media, with posts wishing them well and thanking them for their hospitality in the south.

The excitement is not yet over for the Stags as they are hopeful a friendly might be arranged with Preston before next season.

“We’ve had a lot of activity on social media,” said Brookwell.

“I’m expecting to take up a call with Preston. We would love to go up to Deepdale after the invitation from the fans there on the night.

“Jimmy Ball knows the Preston manager personally, so hopefully that’s something we can get sorted.”