FORMER Cornish Pirates player Bob Henderson is now chairman of their supporters’ club and is looking forward to welcoming a whole host of Warriors fans to The Mennaye Field for Wednesday’s Championship final first leg (7.45pm).

Pirates officials are expecting a 3,500 sell-out at their historic ground in Penzance with travelling fans set to make up a large part of the capacity crowd.

Henderson said: “The atmosphere in the town is definitely building.

“We are a pretty laid-back bunch down here, but tickets are selling well and I’m sure we will have a sell-out.

“As we get closer to the game, the tension will increase. I’m sure the club will put on another great evening of entertainment both before and after the match regardless of the result.

“Everyone from the Warriors and will receive a very warm and unique Cornish welcome.”

He added: “This is a huge occasion for the club — and Cornwall itself — and I’m certain we’ll give a good account of ourselves. Hopefully, it will increase the profile of the club as well.

“I think we are confident of putting on a good performance over the two legs.”

While Worcester have everything to gain from the match with a place in the Premiership on the line, Pirates have nothing to lose.

The Cornishmen could not be promoted — even if they won across the two legs as — their Mennaye Field home does not meet the Premiership entry criteria.

While this leaves them playing for pride alone, that is a characteristic they have in spades in Penzance and Warriors can expect a fierce contest.

Henderson said: “We have known about the ground criteria all season.

“It’s nothing new for us Pirates fans but, hopefully, our appearance in the final will help in the campaign to build a stadium for Cornwall.”

Despite being tucked away in the south-west corner of the country, Pirates will be able to count on massive support from the north of England — specifically in Leeds.

The Premiership strugglers were finally relegated after losing 31-24 to Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday, but would receive a reprieve if Warriors failed to secure promotion.

On this potential new army of Pirates fans, Henderson added: “I haven’t seen anyone specifically on our forum, but I’m sure we will receive some before the first leg.

“However, I am certain there are also many fans who would rather stay up on the back of their own efforts rather than by us winning — rugby fans are generally a pretty fair-minded bunch.”