A football circus will come up against a real circus on Sunday when thousands of supporters head to Stevenage FC for their FA Cup clash against Tottenham.

Supporters planning to drive to the match at The Lamex Stadium will not be able to use the club’s usual car park on Fairlands Valley Showground because Uncle Sam’s American Circus has its big top there. The game will kick off at 2pm - the same time as the first circus performance of the day.

In a deal with the borough council the club has secured limited parking on the grass area behind the circus however, and there will also be free spaces at the council’s Southgate car park opposite the fire station.

The club’s Shephalbury Sports Academy car park will also be open to fans, at �5 for cars and �10 for minibusses.

A club spokesman said parking on verges around the stadium will result in vehicles being clamped or towed, while “we have been made aware that supporters who have parked in both the Roaring Meg and The Range car parks have been clamped in recent weeks.”

Herts Police will have a high visibility police presence around the town before, during and after the game. Officers are gathering information on known trouble makers, a spokesman said.

Wetherspoons in the town centre and Our Mutual Friend in Broadwater – the two pubs most likely to attract supporters will both be open.

The match is expected to attract a full capacity crowd of 6,500.