Among the spectators at the Towbar Express Stadium will be Richard Stanley, a lifelong football supporter marking an extraordinary personal milestone - his 500th football stadium visit.

Stanley, who lives in Northampton, is a devoted Birmingham City season ticket holder and an ardent ground-hopper, having spent years travelling the length and breadth of the UK - and far beyond - in pursuit of football grounds.

By the time he arrives in Whitby, he will have already completed visits to every English and Scottish league stadium, including all newly built English league grounds, with Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium being ticked off recently too.

The Whitby trip is being organised by a group of friends travelling from Middlesbrough on the day, keen to turn the occasion into a memorable day out.

The choice of Whitby was no accident. Some of the group have personal ties to North Yorkshire, and the town’s reputation as a classic seaside destination made it an ideal setting to celebrate such an unusual achievement.

"Five hundred grounds isn’t something you plan overnight," said Paul Burnett, one of the organisers. "It’s years of early starts, long drives, and football in all weathers. Whitby just felt like the right place to mark it."

While none of the group are regular Whitby Town supporters, football colours may still play a part in the occasion. With Stanley’s Birmingham City and two Portsmouth fans in the group all sharing blue as their club colour, the idea of a coordinated outfit has already been floated. There is even talk of purchasing Whitby Town shirts or scarves as souvenirs of the landmark visit.

Stanley’s football travels extend well beyond Britain. He has set himself the challenge of visiting at least one stadium in every European country and has already visited 39 European counties, with a venture to Denmark being worked on for country number 40. Trips to Andorra, Croatia and Slovenia are among the many journeys he has made in pursuit of the game.

As milestones go, 500 football grounds is a rare one. And for one dedicated fan and his travelling companions, Whitby Town will forever be remembered as the place where that remarkable number finally clicked into place.

You can join Richard and his ground-hopping adventure by securing your tickets for Saturday in advance. CLICK HERE for tickets.