Orders for Canvey FC football kits have been flooding in from around the world as the team prepares for its FA Cup clash with Southend United.

Non-league side Canvey meet third division Southend on December 9 after they both won their first round FA Cup ties on Tuesday.

Since the club beat second division side Port Vale on Tuesday, there have been orders coming in from America and Finland on the club's official website.

Congratulation messages have also been left on the website from as far afield as Australia, Canada, the Bahamas and Pakistan.

Promotional manager Keith Johnson said: "The website was set up about a month ago and we believe we are the only Ryman League team to have an online shop."

The club shop at the ground sells merchandise but it is only open on match days and there is not a home match before the big game against Southend.

Mr Johnson said: "We have had orders coming in from abroad and from up north and the Midlands.

"It is mainly ex-patriots wanting to get hold of the replica kits but we are also getting people from Canvey and Benfleet ordering online."

He added: "We have been able to get the kits out to people and they will receive them in time for the gameagainst Southend." As well as kits, the club is selling team calendars for 2001 which are supported by the Evening Echo.

Canvey have been picked to host the crucial game but because of the enormous number of supporters expected on the day - up to 10,000 - the game may be switched to Roots Hall. Safety officials were due to make a decision today (Thursday).

The ticket office at the Park Lane ground has been ringing off the hook with inquiries about buying tickets.

Mr Johnson added: "We should be finding out late today what the situation will be.

"We need to know soon because we have to print the tickets."

Canvey Supporters' Club chairman Dave Doughty said he was delighted the team he has followed for the past nine years have got this far in the competition.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.