Helensburgh sports club Ardencaple FC – backed by the community and two of Scottish footballs most famous names – hopes to break the Guinness World Record for the number of the consecutive penalty kicks taken — which currently stands at 1,860.

Former Scotland and Rangers manager, Walter Smith, and ex-Celtic and Scotland great, Murdo McLeod, will turn out at Lomond School sports hall on Sunday to help the attempt — taking the first and last penalties — with other celebrity stars expected to come along to lend their feet as well.

Craig Holborn, Ardencaple FC’s chairman, said: “We are all very excited and looking forward to what could prove to be a very memorable weekend not just for Ardencaple FC but for everyone living in and around Helensburgh.

“World records don’t come easy and this is no exception. We could never dream of achieving this without the full support of our community, so we need everyone to come along, and we do mean everyone.” To set the record, penalties must be taken within 30 seconds of each other, with the bid expected to take several hours to complete. If this condition is not fulfilled, the world record cannot be broken. The current record – set in 2012 – is held by professional German club 1860 Munich, which would make a successful record bid all the more impressive.

Cllr Gary Mulvaney, of Helensburgh Toyota, which sponsors Red Nose Day and Ardencaple FC said: “Everyone is tremendously excited.

“There are not many people that will be able to say they have had an opportunity to be part of a world record.

“Nobody imagined it would get as big as it has.” The Advertiser has also officially backed the bid – with special pull-out banners printed inside for all supporters to take along on the day to show their support. Henry Ainslie, editor of the Advertiser, said: “This will be an amazing feat if the team can pull it off, and a fantastic achievement for Helensburgh.

“Let’s hope as many people as possible go along on the day to make sure the record is broken.” There is expected to be a carnival atmosphere on the day, with a variety of other attractions including a bouncy castle for younger children and a cafeteria will be selling hot & cold drinks, sweets, crisps and a range of home-baking.

Anyone can take part in the attempt – no matter what their age or ability – as rules state the ball only has to move from the spot, Craig told the Advertiser: “If you are physically capable of taking a couple of steps and kicking a ball (it doesn’t need to score or even reach the goal!) then please come along on Sunday and be part of a little piece of history being forged in your town.

“This has grown arms and legs, it’s probably turned out to be the biggest thing like this I’ve seen in Helensburgh and I’ve lived here 20 years.

“Walter Smith, our honourary president, will be taking the last penalty to break the record. Murdo McLeod will take the first penalty of the day. We hope in between to have quite a few celebrities along to take a penalty or save a penalty. Almost every place I went to hand in posters, the people already knew about it. The pupils at Lomond and Hermitage Academy have been invited, as will the primary pupils.

“It is a community effort, the rugby, cricket, swimming clubs are all sending people everyone is getting involved.” Craig hopes there will be enough people to keep the day going smoothly, with organisers planning to operate a ‘zig-zag’ style queue to keep proceedings under control and within the bounds of Guinness criteria. The event will be officiated by naval police from HMNB Clyde to keep the bid within the rules. He said: “If during a quiet period we run out of people, then we don’t satisfy the Guinness criteria. As much as possible I’m trying to control the flow.” Craig said he would definitely be getting involved and attempt to put a shot past the keeper — despite his hip replacement at the end of last year. He added: “This event is driven by Red Nose Day. Although it would be great to break that world record, we also want to raise a lot of money for charity.” The event is being run in conjunction with Toyota.

One of the coaches at Ardencaple FC, Richard West, explained the idea behind breaking the record.

He said: “It’s to beat a record set by a German club. It must be a different person taking each penalty.

“All the lads in the club have sponsorship forms, there will also be a donation bucket on the day.” The club aims to kick its way into the record books with 1,968 penalties – which is the year the club was formed.

Toyota Helensburgh, one of Red Nose Day’s official sponsors, are also getting involved.

Managing director Gary Mulvaney said: “Everyone is tremendously excited. There’s not many people that will be able to say they have had an opportunity to be part of a world record. The back ground to it is that Toyota are a partner for Red Nose Day, and we sponsor Ardencaple FC.

“We went to them and asked if they had any ideas for fundraising, and Craig and the team came up with this brilliant idea. “We are going to have as many of our staff as we can muster along as well.” All proceeds raised will be shared with Comic Relief and CHAS. The event runs from 9am-5pm at Lomond School Sports Hall this Sunday, March 8.