City’s owner-to-be last week doubted whether the first home fixture would attract 7,000 fans, promising that every penny of receipts over that number would be spent on team strengthening.

But interest generated by Hammam buying the club for £3.1m has been so great that a crowd close to the 14,340 capacity is expected.

And City have taken a leaf from the Welsh FA’s book by reducing match day prices for all areas apart from the grandstand.

Part, if not all of the 4,000 standing area at the Grangetown End will be open to Bluebirds fans, depending on the size of their support and number of Blackpool fans.

“Sam Hammam threw down the gauntlet when he said the crowd wouldn’t top 7,000 against Black-pool,” said stalwart City fan Karl Williams.

“That was like waving a red flag to a bull. A Welshman’s pride is his backbone and before 3pm on Saturday Sam will literally be eating humble pie.” Williams has had a pastry made bearing the words “humble pie”. He will call on Hammam to eat it in front of the fans before the kick-off.

“Sam is always playing jokes on people. Last week he let down car tyres while City players were training. And when he owned Wimbledon he insisted his Crazy Gang eat sheep’s eyes after a bad performance.

“He’s obviously game for a laugh so I expect him to eat my humble pie.”

Williams is spokesman for leading Wales bookmakers Jack Brown who are taking bets on Saturday’s attendance.

“Interest has been so strong we have had to reduce the odds on a 13,000 plus crowd from 5-l to 2-l favourite.

“Fans will turn out in force to acknowledge what Sam Hammam is trying to do - kick-start the club back to the big time.

“Personally I anticipate a 10,000 to 10,500 crowd (odds 7-2) which

Meanwhile, Billy Ayre admitted last night that he almost resigned when Bobby Gould was appointed.