Broncos Chairman Mike Palin said of reaching the final ‘‘I never imagined seeing us in a cup final when setting the club up back in 2008. Winning club of the year last year wouldn't mean as much without the club competing on the field, and this is showing that we can.’’

He added ‘‘I hope to get some good support on Sunday as we're playing in their back yard, it would be nice to bring the club together and begin the season on a high.’’

Bury come into the match undefeated this year with one win and one draw in division four whilst their opponents are at the foot of division one after a winless start to the season.

Rochdale’s coach said of Sundays game ‘Last year was the start of taking Cobras from pub team to club team and cups like this are good for the town. The squad knows if we play to our strengths and stick together we can give any team a game.’’

Broncos Coach Liam Owen said ‘It’s a cup competition so it comes down to who the better team is on the day. They’ve been struggling for form by all accounts but that doesn’t count for anything in a game like this. The cup has always stayed in Rochdale and they’re going to want to keep it there but if we keep improving like we have been we’ve got a great chance.’’

The game at Kingsway Sports Centre in Rochdale kicks off at 11am.

Bury are travelling without influential club captain Mark Brocklehurst and Bury, Bolton & Rochdale's young player of the year Blake Roberts for Sunday’s game who both miss out through injury. Four other players carry injury doubts on the back of a tough North West Counties winter league campaign with Irlam Hornets whilst Joe Connor is away on GB BARLA duty.

The full 20 man squad is as follows:

Andy Carter, Adam Radford, Andy Partington, Anthony Crumlish, Ben Jenks, Charlie Delaume, Chris Lynch, Chris Radford, Chris Ready, Dan Roughley, Lee Salisbury, Mark Jones, Martin Wilcock (c), Matthew Fish, Mike Garside, Neil Shackcloth, Richard West, Rick Brogan, Ryan Latham, Vinny White