Leicester City football fan James Baxter surrounded by Norwich City fans at the Black Swan at North Walsham, ready for the FA cup match between the two teams. Picture: Denise Bradley

For many people tomorrow’s FA Cup clash between Norwich City and Leicester City is just another match, but for one Foxes fan it means much more than that.

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James Baxter probably let out the loudest cheer in Nelson’s County when the two teams were drawn against each other in the fifth round.

He said: “I had a feeling it was going to happen so I went down the pub with some mates to watch the draw and I saw Norwich come out as ball number six and I just jumped up to the front and said 16, 16, 16!

“It came out and I still waited for them to say Leicester, just to be sure, and then when they did we jumped around like we’d won the cup or something.”

James is Norfolk born and bred, but follows the team of his father, Mick. And the 25-year-old is never slow to tell Canaries fans in his local pub, the Black Swan in North Walsham, that Leicester are a bigger and better club than Norwich.

His claims will be put to the test tomorrow when the two teams go head-to-head for a place in the last eight of the world’s oldest cup competition.

He has been proudly displaying his Leicester scarf at his family’s business, timber merchants and building suppliers S&M Supplies, in Aylsham, but admits he isn’t feeling confident of a cup upset.

Mr Baxter, who turns 26 tomorrow as well, continued: “I don’t think we’ve got that much chance. It would make our whole season if we do win because I think the play-offs are out of reach for us in the league now.

“I’ve had my scarf up in the shop and a lot of the traders have been saying ‘you’ve got no hope’. So we’ll just have to see come Monday morning.”

One of the pub’s locals hoping to get bragging rights over Mr Baxter is Jay Robertson, 26, who is confident that is exactly what will happen. He said: “I expect a tight match, two teams well drilled, but Norwich to be more clinical and a class up.

“Drawing James’s team is the magic of the FA Cup, coinciding with his birthday.

“He will get jeered if there is an upset and cheered if the Foxes lose, all in good banter, but he is a good lad at heart and is always welcomed in the pubs across North Walsham!”

Stephen Pointer, 25, is also relishing the post-match banter with his friend, saying: “When I saw the draw I knew straight away the banter would start and it did within minutes on Facebook.

“It’s always good to see Norwich v Leicester come up and its a chance for bragging rights with James.

“I think Norwich will win 2-1 and Paul Lambert will play a few players recovering from injury and give them a chance.

“I’m hoping the match will be full of chances and a good cup atmosphere at Carrow Road from the crowd and the anticipation that Norwich can progress further in the competition.”

For a full preview of tomorrow’s match, including a look back at the FA Cup quarter-final clash between Norwich and Leicester in 1963 and veteran defender Adam Drury’s thoughts on the game, turn to sport.

Have you got a quirky Norwich City story for the Evening News? Contact reporter David Freezer on 01603 772418 or david.freezer@archant.co.uk