By Giancarlo Rinaldi BBC Scotland news website South of Scotland reporter

The town is getting right behind its team in the Scottish Cup

Now Gretna - population approximately 2,700 - can add its name to that illustrious list.

The town expects to take more fans than it has residents to the Scottish Cup semi-final with Dundee on 1 April.

Everyone in the place most famous for the weddings at nearby Gretna Green is now gripped by football passion.

"Everybody thinks it is great," said Gretna day centre manager Alison Hampson who also works on the gate for the football club.

"It will be like a ghost town on Saturday in Gretna," she added. "There are about 16 buses going.

"My husband has supported them since he was six years old - we followed them in the Unibond league. We never thought they would go this far."

Walking up Gretna's main street you would not think you were in a hotbed of football - but there is definitely a real air of anticipation.

"It has created a lot of excitement and interest from not only football fans but families too," said Craig Williamson of CSW Insurance who once played for the club.

Gretna joins Edinburgh and Dundee with teams in the semi-finals

"All the staff are right behind them - they all go to all of the games. It was the girls' idea to do something in the office window to wish Gretna all the best."

"Everybody is cock-a-hoop with the progress they have made," agreed community council vice-chairman Archie Smith.

"You see folk you have never seen at football before who are going.

"It brings people into Gretna as well," he said. "It is first class. It is really making the headlines."

The club hopes that as many as 5,000 supporters will follow them to Glasgow, that means a lot of fans travelling from outside the town.

Catering manager at their Raydale Park ground, Claire Dalrymple, lives 30 miles from Gretna but would not dream of missing the semi-final.

She says the buzz it has created in and around the town is incredible.

The community sees itself as part of the club which maybe wasn't the case in years gone by Graeme Muir Gretna chief executive

"The atmosphere is absolutely out of this world," she said. "It is an absolutely amazing feeling.

"All the staff from Gretna are going, plus the whole town of Gretna is going up to Hampden which is quite exciting.

"It is absolutely wonderful when you are out and about," she added. "It has put Gretna on the map and we are all cheering for them."

The club prides itself on its community work but chief executive Graeme Muir admits their Scottish Cup run has raised that profile even further.

He now allows an extra 20 minutes if he wants to post a letter or fill his car up with petrol such is the enthusiasm with which he is greeted.

"There is such a feel good-factor in the community," he said. "And the community sees itself as part of the club which maybe wasn't the case in years gone by."