A FORMER Padgate High School student is gearing up for the biggest game of his career.

Warrington Town goalkeeper Karl Wills has played a key role in the club’s historic FA Cup run, keeping clean sheets in four of their seven games.

The 27-year-old is witnessing cup fever first hand ahead of the televised clash against Exeter City, with friends making it clear all eyes will be on the former Crewe Alexandra stopper come Friday night.

“I’ve had a couple of comments from my mates, because I play in goal, telling me not to mess up on tele,” laughed Wills, who grew up in Orford and now lives in Great Sankey.

“I was on the bench for Crewe when they were in the Championship, but this is going to be the biggest game of my career.

“At the moment I’m excited, but there will be a few nerves on game day.”

Wills, who works as a web developer in Trafford, was with the Yellows as a 17-year-old, before joining the Railwaymen and later Runcorn Town.

“I’ve played in the FA Cup for Runcorn but always at the pre-qualifying stages,” he explained.

“I decided to make the leap back to Warrington. My dad’s good friends with Toby (Macormac) and so he enquired about me and I’m really glad he did.

“The FA Cup run is pretty mad. It’s something special, breaking history. It’s going to be an amazing night.

“When we started drawing Conference sides I thought there’s a slim chance we could do it.

“Then we played Colwyn Bay and scored literally with a second to go to force a replay. We beat them and got a bit of belief.

“The confidence is high and the lads always believed we could do it last round. Now I think we’ve got a good chance again.”

And he was surprised to see his side's success cause such a stir in the town.

“I’ve just been on the phone to the chairman trying to reserve tickets,” Wills told the Guardian after the Yellows’ television date was announced last week.

“I’ve had so many people ringing, texting, tweeting and Facebooking me – the interest is quite surprising for a rugby town.

“My dad is a massive fan of mine, like all dads, and my mum says he hasn’t been off the phone since the draw for the television game was announced either.”