City's army of fans heading for the Coral Windows Stadium on Saturday were today reminded: You can make such a difference.

A wall of noise is expected to greet the League Two opener against Macclesfield, with the club even allowing supporters to take air horns.

With more than 12,000 season-ticket holders, City will be backed by their biggest home crowd since 14,925 saw the Huddersfield derby last October.

Joint-chairman Julian Rhodes believes the fans will have a big say and said: "All the hype of the summer has been building towards this game.

"I'm not saying it's imperative we get three points on Saturday but it would be a great start and would continue this feeling of hope and expectation that everybody has.

"We're expecting a big crowd, not only with the season-ticket holders but I would imagine other people will want to come out and watch Stuart and Wayne Jacobs' first game in charge.

"For the last few years it has not been the greatest place to be on a Saturday afternoon but hopefully all that changes now.

"Part of the reason behind the season-ticket initiative was to get more bodies in to change the atmosphere and create a real 12th man in the crowd. Probably more than ever, the fans have got a chance of playing their part."

Air horns will be permitted in the ground, providing they are used responsibly. They will be taken away if there are complaints from nearby fans.

Joint-chairman Mark Lawn said: "We want supporters to make noise but this is a test. If everything goes okay then we will consider bringing in a drum for future matches."

City's home form in recent seasons has been dire and they have not won at Valley Parade in 2007. The last victory there was over Chesterfield, nine days before Christmas.

But with City set to house the biggest gates in League Two, the club are ready to reverse their fortunes.

Rhodes said: "At the end of the 2005-06 season, we thought we'd turned the corner and the start of last season carried that on, winning eight out of ten and drawing the other two.

"Then we completely fell to pieces and won only one home game from the end of September to the end of the season.

"But we do hope we've now got an atmosphere more conducive to winning football matches. The areas we've sold tickets in means that most people now will be down nearer the pitch.

"You go back to before the stand development and that's the way the stadium was. It was intimidating for the opposition and that's what we're trying to recreate.

"Strong home form will make such a difference. No pressure on Stuart but Mark's hoping we win 90 per cent of our home games this year!"

New stadium signs are going up tomorrow but the club are still pursuing a sponsor for the Midland Road stand.

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