It's time that Kent ended it's eight-year Wembley wait, says Foley - EXCLUSIVE

PAUL FOLEY wants to reach the FA Carlsberg Vase final at Wembley Stadium in May to make up for past disappointments, writes Stephen McCartney.

Now the manager of Kent League outfit VCD Athletic, Foley has suffered three heartbreaking Vase exits during the past eight years and wants to lead the Crayford side to Wembley glory in his first season as a manager.

Back in 2000, when he played for Ramsgate, Jim Ward’s men were knocked out in the quarter-final stage by Newcastle Town, who were then knocked out by local rivals Deal Town, in the two-legged semi’s.

Tommy Sampson’s side then beat Chippenham Town, courtesy of a dramatic last-gasp Roly Graham goal to clinch victory underneath the legendary Twin Towers.

Deal Town are the only Kent non-league side to win a major competition at Wembley Stadium, although VCD Athletic, Greenwich Borough and Ebbsfleet United, who are involved in the last sixteen of the FA Carlsberg Trophy, fly the flag for the Garden of England.

Foley, playing in the heart of VCD Athletic’s defence, under the leadership of Vickers legend Martin Ford, has been knocked out in the last sixteen in the past two season’s by Cammell Laird and Bideford.

Now as a manager, Foley, who has guided the club to the top of the Kent League table, welcomes Ridgeons Premier League leaders Needham Market to Oakwood on Saturday in the LAST 32.

And this season emulates the one in 2000 with two Kent representatives in the latter stages of the competition.

That time it were two sides from the east of the county - can two sides from inside the M25 go all the way to Wembley?

“Why can’t a Kent League side go and win it? This League has always been strong and has seen some good teams in it that have underperformed in the Vase in my view,” Foley said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

Foley admitted that the likes of Maidstone United, Ramsgate, Cray Wanderers and Chatham Town, now playing their football in the Ryman League, should have done better and he hopes that his side - and Greenwich Borough - make up for lost time.

“Apart from the off quarter-final appearance you have to go right back to the Deal side eight years ago. It‘s been too long!” said Foley.

“We need to give Tommy Sampson a reason to smile so why not remind him of his glory that day and make sure a Kent League side like Boro’, who are a good outfit, or the Vickers win the trophy?

“What about an all Kent final, what odds on that happening? This League needs some positive mental attitude!”

Stopping them reaching the LAST SIXTEEN are a Needham Market side that play in the Ridgeons Premier League and have only suffered one league defeat all season.

That League has a history of producing Wembley Wonders, AFC Sudbury living proof.

So which table topping side are favourites for the Oakwood showdown?

“If I was a betting man and I’m not really, I would have to cover my bet as there is not much to suggest either side is a strong favourite,” said Foley.

“On League form they are probably favourites as they have only lost once all season but our recent form has been ok.”

Unless he plays, Foley can’t do anything from his technical area once the whistle blows at 3pm on Saturday - and will be willing on the current Vickers crop of players to enhance his Vase dream.

“I reached the quarter-finals at Ramsgate the year Deal won it, losing 1-0 to an inferior Newcastle Town side in the last minute, who then got beat by Deal in the semi-finals,” recalled Foley.

“We really fancied our chances that year, that was a very good Rams side and we genuinely felt that we would beat Deal had we played them in the semi’s.

“We had the hex over them and I used to tell Paul Ribbens, Jamie Kempster, Phil Turner and Steve Marshall, who were all playing for Deal at the time, that all the time but fair play to them, they have their memories and medals so my claims are a bit hollow!

“The Newcastle goal was Steve Coatham’s fault and I have never let him forget it! He didn’t want to mess up his hair by heading it!”

Foley demands that his side adopt a never say die attitude on Saturday to make up for the club’s last two Vase exits.

Having covered last sesaon’s exit against Bideford, Vickers froze on the day and gave their visitors’ too much respect and you felt that the Kent League side had a lot more to offer.

“The last two years have been good runs too, reaching the last sixteen two years on the spin,” said Foley.

“Last year was disappointing as we thought we were better than Bideford and although we nearly forced a draw we didn’t play too our potential.

“The year before we lost 1-0 in the dying minutes to an excellent Cammell Laird team who should have gone on to win it in my view. They’re the best team I have played against at this level.”

So what can we expect from Needham Market?

“We know a bit about them as we had them watched in the last round win at Ringmer,” explained Foley.

“Foley Snr (Theo) went to watch them and gave a full report that has been very useful.

“We know they’re a young, strong side and we know their strengths and weaknesses. They have watched us too so they will probably say the same.”

But having knocked out last season’s FA Vase finalists AFC Totton in the second round, and beat last season’s semi-finalists Whitehawk out of the FA Cup in the extra preliminary round stage, Vickers believe they can win on Saturday.

“We are capable of beating anyone at our level on our day,” insisted Foley. “We have proved that by beating Totton and Whitehawk both away this season.

“We take great heart from that. We aren’t top of our league by accident. We are a good side but so are they so it should be a good contest.”

Captain Danny Penny remains a long-term casualty through injury; midfielder Jack Parkinson continues his suspension and winger Darren Thomson is still in Thailand.

But teenage striker Juan Ramirez has returned from his sojourn to his native Colombia.

Foley added: “We still have a squad of nineteen to pick from even with those three missing. That is the strength of this team, the depth. If one is missing we have the same quality coming in.”

TALE OF THE TAPE

VCD ATHLETIC
Manager: Paul Foley
Colours: Green

Second Round:
AFC Totton 0-1 VCD Athletic

Third Round:
Ampthill Town 1-3 VCD Athletic

NEEDHAM MARKET
Manager: Danny Laws
Colours: Red

First Round:
Ely City 1-4 Needham Market

Second Round:
Needham Market 4-1 Eton Manor

Third Round:
Ringmer 1-3 Needham Market

FACT
Former Ashford Town midfielder, Jonathan Thorogood, has made 10 appearances (17 as substitute) for the Suffolk side this season, scoring one goal.

Subject to internet connection www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be providing LIVE COVERAGE of this match - with reaction to follow during the course of the weekend.

VCD Athletic v Needham Market
FA Carlsberg Vase Fourth Round
Saturday 19^th January 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Oakwood, Old Road, Crayford, Kent DA1 4DN