CHELMSFORD City manager Rod Stringer believed his side’s Essex Senior Cup final clash with East Thurrock United is the ‘right type of final’ because both clubs have taken the competition seriously.

Speaking ahead of tonight's showdown at Colchester United’s Weston Homes Community Stadium, Stringer said: “We’ve taken the competition serious this season. It’s something I’ve set out to try to win and so have East Thurrock, to be honest. It’s the first time they have been in this type of a final so it is going to mean so much to them as a club.

“If you look back over the past few seasons, Concord Rangers have done well because they have respected the competition. I think it’s right that the final is to be played out by two clubs with similar views on the County Cup.

“Although over the years Chelmsford City has been more successful than East Thurrock in the competition, we haven’t won it for a number of years, or for that matter even been in the final. Now we’ve got to the final I think we owe this one to our supporters.”

The Clarets boss hopes that the club's supporters will travel to Colchester in great numbers and wants his side to lift the cup as a thank you to them.

Stringer added: “You don’t know the next time you are going to be in a final, so I’m urging our fans to turn out in force. It’s a terrific venue, a great pitch and not too far for people to travel. I’ve noticed that ticket sales have been very good, that shows the supporters are taking the cup seriously too. I understand East Thurrock are bringing a few as well. With a bit of luck, we can attract a four-figure crowd, boosting the competition further.

“We’ve got to the final plus we are sitting in a National League South play-off position. Chelmsford City Football Club are in a really good place at the moment. I really want to pay back the supporters for the backing they have given us by bringing the cup back to the Melbourne Stadium for them.

“It’s a fantastic cup to win. Essex has some big football clubs such as Southend United, Colchester United and Dagenham & Redbridge plus the likes of Concord, who have won it for the past three years. I'm not saying that winning the competition makes us as big as the professional clubs, but they all compete as well, proving that whoever reaches the final has deserved it.”