Norwich headteacher promises doughnuts in Canaries LOSE

When the Canaries drew Bristol Rovers at home in the tournament's third round it was a moment of pure excitement for Sarah Shirras, executive headteacher of St William's Primary School in Thorpe St Andrew and Brundall Primary School.

Miss Shirras has been a supporter of the Pirates for more than 30 years, having adopted the Canaries' cup visitors while teaching in the southwest city.

She said her fandom began when a child in her first-ever class asked her to go along to a game when he was mascot - and she's followed Rovers ever since.

However, in the 25 years she has been teaching in Norfolk, the two sides have only met at Carrow Road twice - with the Canaries victorious on both occasions.

The headteacher will be in the away end this weekend and will be rooting for a cup upset that would see David Wagner's side face an early exit.

But victory will not come without a cost for Miss Shirras - who has pledged to buy doughnuts for both her entire schools if Rovers come out on top.

It is a wager she is replicating from her time at the Douglas Bader School at RAF Coltishall in 2004 when the two sides met in the League Cup - when a Youssef Safri goal was enough to send the Canaries through.

Miss Shirras said: "Most of our children are avid Norwich fans - but I think a lot of them can't make their mind up whether they'd rather have the win or a doughnut.

"I'm not sure too many were particularly excited by the draw when it came up, but I certainly was and we've had some lovely banter since.

"My head is telling me Norwich should really win comfortably, but my heart says Rovers will scrape a 1-0 win. "