BRETT ORMEROD has admitted that the traditional FA Cup final nerves are affecting his fans more than him.

The 26-year-old will welcome an army of supporters from East Lancashire on Saturday to cheer him on as he leads the line for Southampton against Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium.

And while Ormerod, in keeping with the meteoric rise of his career, is taking it all in his stride, the same can't be said of his family and friends.

Ormerod said: "It's going to be a great day with my family and friends coming down. To be honest, they're more nervous about it than me but we're all looking forward to it.

"I don't really feel much yet as it all seems surreal that I'll be playing in an FA Cup final. It hasn't sunk in with me yet and I don't think it will until afterwards.

"My mum and dad are coming down from Rishton and my brother, as well as the rest of the family and all my mates. I managed to get them all tickets so it's going to be great.

"But I'm not nervous at the moment. When I think of the world watching and the game being broadcast to every country it's a bit frightening, but it's a one-off and I'm looking forward to it.

"The family and friends will have a great day but, even though it's nice to say you played in an FA Cup final, I'll only enjoy it if we win."

Saturday will be a different world to the one Ormerod was in six years ago when he played in the UniBond League for Accrington Stanley and worked in a factory in his native Great Harwood.

But the striker has every reason to be confident despite facing an Arsenal side completing a hat-trick of Cardiff finals.

This is because Ormerod himself has been in a winning team at the Millennium Stadium, when Blackpool beat Leyton Orient 4-2 in the 2001 Division Three play-off final.

He said: "It was a good day last time. I scored and we won 4-2 so I have good memories of Cardiff.

"It's a magnificent stadium and the atmosphere is unbelievable - and it wasn't even full then so on Saturday it's going to be twice as good."

Ormerod took time to speak to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph on a rare day off this week, in a break from the traditional busy build-up to the big day.

He said: "Yesterday we were measured for our suits by Ted Baker, who is doing them for us this year, and had a big press day. It's been going on all week.

"I've just been into town here and the place is full of flags and banners and all sorts of memorabilia for Saturday. It's buzzing."

And he can't resist thinking about emulating his achievement in the semi-final, when he set the Saints on their way to Cardiff with the opening goal against Watford at Villa Park.

He added: "Every kid that wants to be a footballer has dreamed of scoring in an FA Cup final."