by Damian Derrick

For much of their 120-year history, Bath City have lived in the shadows of their rugby counterparts in the city.

However, this Saturday they have the opportunity to take the limelight as they face Forest Green Rovers in the FA Cup second round.

The game has been billed as the "the best in the West" with both sides keen to prove that they are the best non-league side in the West Country and make it into the third round draw.

And just to add a little more edge to the occasion there could be up to six former Forest Green Rovers players in the Bath City line-up.

"There is a little bit of history there that needs putting right," Bath City chairman Geoff Todd told BBC Radio Bristol.

"We played them about nine years ago at their place and lost. They saved two penalties and ran out winners but even they would admit we were the better side.

"So perhaps this time we can come out as top dogs in the West Country which would be great in itself."

There is a little bit of history there that needs putting right.They ran out winners but even they would admit we were the better side Geoff Todd, Bath City chairman

Blue Square South side Bath are just one division and thirteen places below their Gloucestershire rivals and dumped League Two outfit Grimsby Town out in the previous round.

"There's a lot of confidence within the club at the moment and our league position doesn't show that, added Todd.

"But they're not a bad side and we're taking nothing for granted. They are, after all, (Blue Square) Premier Division."

Bath have made it through to the FA Cup third round on six previous occasions, the last time in the 1993/94 season.

They held Stoke City 0-0 at home and took them to a replay at the old Victoria Ground before losing 4-1.

"It's a tremendously big match. It's the first time the Bath public have the opportunity to see us on a good cup run for quite a few years so it's very important, said Todd.

"It's great just to have a buzz about the city and it's not people just talking about the rugby club and what's going on there but they're talking about the football as well."

The club is hoping to get a crowd of at least 2500 and hopefully somewhere close to the 3500 that turned up at Twerton Park when Bath played Yeovil Town in the fourth qualifying round in 2002.

Bath City's FA Cup Journey Willand Rovers 5-0 Bishops Cleeve 4-1 AFC Totton 3-2 Grimsby Town 2-0

Amongst the home support on Saturday will be film director and lifelong fan Ken Loach who, with his contacts, has bought personalities such as Eric Cantona to the club.

"I did actually joke with him about guesting for us and he didn't say no," admitted Todd.

"That would be the ultimate dream ticket to have a third round tie and have Eric Cantona guesting for us."

And Todd is not the only one who has let his mind wonder a little into the land of dreams.

Midfielder Lewis Hogg is one of Bath's better-known players having spent a number of years at Bristol Rovers.

"It's hard not to think of the next round really as we're that close to it and we've got a real chance of getting there," he said.

"I'm an Arsenal fan but I don't want to go there as it would be 90 minutes of chasing shadows."

Perhaps a good third round draw might persuade Mr Cantona to turn out for his friend Ken's team and make Bath's dream really come true.

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