The title-chasing former Football League club are in town on Friday January 1 to see in 2010 in the Unibond League, Premier Division.

And The Yellows are hopeful of a crowd of more than 500 to boost the dwindling coffers at Watnall Road.

With the threat of snow and frost continuing to linger, they are certainly hoping to avoid a repeat of last year when their January 1 Blue Square North derby clash with Alfreton Town was postponed because of a frozen pitch.

Town would have expected a crowd of at least more than 700 for that clash. But instead, when the tie was played on Tuesday January 13, there were only 365 there to see it.

Yellows chairman Dave Gamble said: "We are looking forward to a big crowd against Boston. And I hope the Hucknall public come to support us. Boston usually bring a number of supporters with them.

"Money is tight at the moment, so the income would be very important for us.

"It has got to go ahead. We need this game on a Bank Holiday or a Saturday, rather than a Tuesday. The same can be said with our other home games in January. We don't want any of them being called off."

Town boss Bryan Chambers said: "It is a massive game for us. I would like to think we will get a crowd of 500-plus. And it would be absolutely brilliant for us if we could.

"From the money point of view, it is important that the Boston game is on. As a club, we are only just about keeping our heads above water at the moment.

"But it would also be fantastic to start 2010 with a win (after three successive defeats). And it would be great to beat Boston, after coming close twice this season already. The sooner we get to 50 points the better because that will keep us up."

Chambers should have a fully-fit squad to choose from – and it could include another new signing. He has lodged an official seven-day approach for an unnamed right-sided player who has been playing in the East Midlands Counties League.

Boston, who are managed by former Rotherham United and Oldham Athletic player Rob Scott, have always been one of the favourites for the Unibond title.

But until beating Stocksbridge Park Steels 3-2 in one of only two matches to be played on Boxing Day, they had not won a league game since a 5-0 victory at Ossett Town on November 21.

After then, they drew 3-3 at home to Burscough, lost 1-0 at Matlock Town and lost 1-0 at home to Bradford Park Avenue.

The Pilgrims currently sit in third place in the Premier Division table, nine points in front of Town and only three points behind leaders Retford United.

They have met The Yellows twice this season already. On August 31, a goal six minutes into injury-time by striker Jamie Clarke denied plucky Town a 2-1 win at The Jakemans Stadium. Clarke (27) almost joined Town last summer before opting for Boston.

In front of a bumper Bank Holiday Monday crowd of 1,471, The Yellows led twice through Lee Whittington in the 48th minute and a Laurie Wilson penalty on 76.

The teams' second encounter was also at The Jakemans Stadium and came in the Unibond League Cup in November. Boston won 2-1 with goals from former Nottingham Forest and Notts County striker Spencer Weir-Daley (24) and ex-Yellow Danny Sleath (23). Dion Meikle grabbed an injury-time consolation for Town.

Alongside Sleath, another former Yellow, defender James Cullingworth (22), is currently with Boston and could get a run-out at Watnall Road.