If you go into any of the borough’s pubs or cafe’s at the moment then the chances are you’ll overhear, or be a part of, a conversation about Sutton United.

The team’s amazing run to the FA Cup fourth round has caught the imagination of the people and the media, giving the club priceless positive publicity at home and abroad.

Tickets to the big match against Championship high-fliers Leeds United are the hottest around meaning, quite rightly, the U's are the talk of the town.

The club’s profile, even after the famous Coventry victory in 1989, has never been higher, and manager Paul Doswell hopes that many of those people talking about the club will be enticed down to Gander Green Lane to watch the current National South champions and famous FA Cup giantkillers in the future.

“We need the people in the pubs and bars being proud to be Sutton fans and coming to watch us on a regular basis.

“What this team has done over the last two seasons - and it’s a team that will stay together in the main – has been incredible. These are players that deserved to be watched.

"It wasn’t until we put the 3G pitch in place that we started to get bigger crowds.

“We became a real community club and the more people used the pitch the more they wanted to come down here to watch us.

“I think we’ve put Sutton back on the map in a very positive way and what’s lovely for me is to see the amount of new faces down here.

“I knew virtually everyone here at one stage but now I’m getting new faces coming up to me and that’s a sign this club is getting bigger and bigger."

The United boss is in no doubt about the importance of this Sunday's fixture for the club and the town itself – and recognises the huge task ahead of his team.

He said: “Everyone’s looking forward to the Leeds game. I am reminded of the first game in 1970 by the poster in my office that’s been here since I arrived at the club.

“It’s a privilege to think that 47 years later we are going to replicate that occasion. It’s very exciting.

“Leeds are a great club, they deserve to be in the Premier League.

“They’ve got a fantastic fervent support but the politics in the boardroom have probably affected what’s happened there in the last few years.

“Garry Monk and James Beattie have done a wonderful job at Elland Road and if they do get promoted then they’ll be a credit to the Premier League.

"I know Garry from when he was a young defender at Southampton and  I know Beats well, too.

"He's a very good friend. The last time I saw him was in a nightclub so it will be good to meet up with him in a football environment.

“Realistically, the chances of us winning are very slim but we’ll give it our best shot as we’ve done in the previous rounds. My heart tells me yes, my head tells me it’s unlikely.

“The lads have done the club proud. They can go out there and play without any pressure – it’s a free bet, if you like – and if it’s not good enough then we’ll be glorious losers.

“If we get a draw and enjoy a day and a night at Elland Road then that would be very special."

Not only has this been a very special season so far for Doswell's Sutton, it's been a memorable one for his beloved Southampton who beat Liverpool on Wednesday night in dramatic fashion to book an EFL Cup final showdown with Manchester United at Wembley next month.

Doswell was all set to go to Anfield for the game until his own team's giantkilling exploits got in the way.

"I had tickets, but that was on the assumption that we weren't going to beat Wimbledon. I'd even booked a hotel.

"But because of the importance of what is coming up I stayed at home and watched it on the TV. My son went instead.

"Then I was so excited that Saints had got through that I couldn't sleep, so I watched the Leeds game at 3am."

Sutton United v Leeds United, FA Cup Fourth Round, Gander Green Lane, Sutton, Sunday, January 29, 2pm. The match is all-ticket. Details at suttonunited.net