CAMPION - the new kids on the block - are looking forward to the limelight as they prepare to host the first game of the Easter Groundhop weekend.

The Bradford-based club are in their first season on the non-league ladder and they have enjoyed their campaign so far.

They will be in for another new experience when they host Dronfield Town in an evening kick-off on Thursday, April 13.

Campion treasurer Andy Shepard said: “The game is less than a fortnight away and we’ve been told to expect a crowd of anything between 200 and 500, so it should be a good night.

“The Dronfield game was originally scheduled for the Saturday but it’s been moved to Maundy Thursday.

"We’ve had meetings with the league (Toolstation Northern Counties East League) and the Groundhop weekend management committee, and they told us to expect visitors from all over the British Isles and there could even be some from Europe.

“They feel that because we’re a new club at this level a lot of ground- hoppers will want to come to our game.

"In theory it’s a very attractive game for football supporters - either local or from afar - that haven’t had the chance to come along to us so far.”

The Northern Counties East League Groundhop weekend kicks off at the sportsbulk.co.uk Stadium before an 11am start at Garforth Town on Good Friday.

The bandwagon then rolls into North Yorkshire with Harrogate Railway Athletic kicking off at 2.30pm and then Knaresborough Town at 5.30pm.

Kick-off times for games across the two divisions are also staggered throughout the Saturday, allowing spectators to take in seven games over a three-day period.

Shepard added: “They run buses and tours for the Groundhop weekend and we’ve been told that there are a lot of people staying at a hotel in Wakefield.

"They will base themselves there and get to as many games as they can.

“It would be nice to see a big crowd at our game but the best thing about it would be to see a lot of new faces.

"For our first season we’ve done quite well. We pushed for a play-off place, although it looks like we’ll miss out.

“It’s been hard work for everyone at the club but it’s been exciting. The Groundhop committee told us in the meetings that we’ve had that they will be in contact with us nearer the time.

“We should get details of how many advance tickets have been sold and how many people have joined the official trip and are staying at Wakefield.

"They told us they can also give us a reasonably accurate prediction of how many people they expect just to roll up at the gate.”