THE chairman of Braintree Town has issued a rallying cry as they push for a place in the Football League for the first time in their 118-year history.

The Iron are three games away from securing a place in League 2 – where they could compete alongside larger rivals including Colchester United, Southend United and former Premier League team Portsmouth.

Tonight, the semi-professional outfit travel to Grimsby Town for the first leg of their National League play off semi final before the return visit at the Avanti Stadium on Sunday.

Victory would mean a trip to Wembley next Sunday for the play-off final and the chance of a place in League 2.

Chairman Lee Harding called on the town to get behind the team and fill as much of the 4,200-capacity stadium as possible.

He said: “I’m sure Grimsby will sell out their allocation, so we want it to be intimidating for them.

“It will be great if the town of Braintree comes out and supports us because if they do and we get something out of these two legs, the final is at Wembley. That would be a great occasion for the town and the club and we need their help.”

Both games will be screened on BT Sport, and pubs including the Swan on Bank Street will screen them.

Manager Danielle Hannibal said: “We will show it and hopefully do some drink deals and put some food on.

“It is supposed to be lovely on Sunday, we have a beer garden and non smoking area out the back.

“When the football is on we usually get quite busy so it would be nice if supporters could come in to the pub and watch.”

Karen Dedman, manager of the Bull pub in Market Place, added: “It can only be a good thing for the town.

“Braintree is a family town and there are a lot of people who have been born and bred here.

“It is good for the community and people are just as excited for Braintree Town’s results as Arsenal’s for example.”

Niall Thorogood, owner of Hedingham Models and Collectables, thinks the football club doing well is fantastic for the town.

He said: “We wish them all the best, it is brilliant to have a successful football club.

“It would put Braintree on the map if we get league football.

“The manager has done a fantastic job, he has achieved a fantastic amount with limited money and against some very big football teams.”