Linnets fans are being urged to back the club's newest side after they landed a glamour pre-season friendly.

King's Lynn Town Ladies will enjoy their moment in the spotlight next Sunday when they stage their first match at The Walks. Excitement surrounding that historic fixture reached fever pitch yesterday when it was confirmed the opponents on August 7 would be Women's Premier League (Southern Division) club West Ham United.

Joe Simpson, 20, head coach of Town's latest team and a promising goalkeeper in the men's ranks, said: 'The girls are very, very excited and looking forward to the challenge.

'They can't wait to get them down here and play against a club whose men play in the Premier League. It's an opportunity for the girls to express themselves, get out on the Walks pitch, and I'm sure they won't want to just make the numbers up. They'll be keen to have a go and make sure we show ourselves in a good light.

'The success of England at the Women's World Cup (2015, third) has helped the ladies' game become more and more popular. We're a new part of the club so of course we want to get good backing. The fans at The Walks are superb. You can see how the Lynn fans come out to support all of the sides, like the under-18s when they were formed (last summer). The reserves are one of the best supported teams at Thurlow Nunn League level.

'They've always been superb and got behind Lynn so it would be great if they could do exactly the same with us. We're a good side, a good group and we try and play football the right way so hopefully they'll come and give us a go.'

Lynn Ladies had been operating as a separate entity, playing out of West Lynn, when they were reformed ahead of the 2014/15 season. They go into their third campaign having become part of Town – now owned by businessman Stephen Cleeve.

Next week's match will be extra special for Simpson's charges because it will be one of only a few occasions where they will play at The Walks this term.

Home Norfolk Women's and Girls League Women's Division One matches look set to be held at River Lane with county cup, and possibly other knockout fixtures, being staged at the home of the Linnets.

'It's been a positive move to come under the umbrella of the football club,' added Simpson, a new addition to the ladies' coaching set-up.

'This summer's trials were hugely successful and the girls have had nothing but positive things to say about how it's all a bit more professional now. It should allow them to get more out of it and entice others to join. I think they'd struggled at times, just getting enough players to field a side, but now we've almost got too many.

'That's great so being part of the clubs seems to have had a massive impact. I wanted to keep it quiet when I knew we had lined up West Ham so it could be a surprise. I'm glad I did because as soon as it came out, and the girls heard, they were really excited and want to get out on that grass.'

Lynn's preparations for the forthcoming campaign got under way on Sunday when they were beaten 6-1 by higher-tier Norwich City.

Entry for the match, which kicks-off at 2pm, costs adults £5 and concessions £3. Children under the age of 11 are free.