Ian ClarkeAhoy there Canaries fans - join the west-bound flotilla and ensure Nelson's Norfolk fleet defeats the Bristol pirates!Every Norwich follower expects their team to do their duty and seal promotion back to the Championship.Ian Clarke

Ahoy there Canaries fans - join the west-bound flotilla and ensure Nelson's Norfolk fleet defeats the Bristol pirates!

Every Norwich follower expects their team to do their duty and seal promotion back to the Championship.

And now the rallying cry made famous by the county's seafaring hero is being sounded to supporters heading to cheer on the team at the final away game of the season at Bristol Rovers on May 1.

The EDP and Norfolk brewery Woodforde's have joined forces to produce 1000 Nelson hats for fans to wear at the Memorial Stadium - and outdo the Rovers' fans who are trying to break a world record for the most number of people dressed as pirates in one place at one time.

The West Country club are nicknamed the Pirates and are hoping their fans will wear hats, eye patches and clothes to beat the current record of 1670 before the match.

Despite Tuesday night's disappointing 2-1 loss at Leyton Orient, City - who have their very own Nelson in the shape of centre half Michael - are still in a very strong position to secure the jump back to the Championship and it is hoped the trip to Bristol will be a promotion party.

Woodforde's are sponsoring the initiative and as well as the hats they are also bought 1000 copies of the EDP on May 1 to give to fans heading down to the game.

In addition, there will be a competition for someone pictured on the day wearing one of the hats to have a chance to win two cases of Woodforde's beer.

Mervyn Freeman, the EDP's tactical sales manager, said: 'We heard about the Bristol Rovers idea to break the world record for dressing up as pirates from our sports desk and decided we would try to join in and get fans down there wearing Nelson hats.'

Woodforde's marketing manager Sharon Chatten said: 'We are more than happy to get involved to support Norwich City and the Nelson hats are very appropriate. It will be a fantastic day and hopefully by then we will have more to cheer about!'

Woodforde's have a close affinity to the famous Admiral, as one of their best selling beers is Nelson's Revenge.

Norwich have been allocated about 2000 tickets for the game and demand is expected to exceed supply and written applications are being taken and have to be in by close of business on Saturday.

They will be issued in priority groups and full details are available on Norwich's club website www.canaries.co.uk.

*Nelson hats and goody bags will be available to give to fans travelling on Club Canary coaches going to Bristol on May 1. There will also be hats available from the Canaries shop in Castle Mall and the club shop at Carrow Road from tomorrow.