THE FLEET AT WEMBLEY: LET’S BRING THE TROPHY HOME!

TOMORROW will be my proudest ever game since starting running this website back in June 2003 - a Kent side playing a major Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.

Over 25,000 fans will be supporting Ebbsfleet United during the FA Carlsberg Trophy Final against Torquay United - dwarfing the travelling contingent from Devon.

A Kent club has NEVER won this competition before. I wasn’t at the old Wembley when Tommy Sampson led Deal Town to FA Carlsberg Vase glory back in 2000 and I’m really, really enjoying the build up to tomorrow’s showpiece final.

Ever since last Saturday’s Kent League Cup Final I’ve been counting down the days and the hours to our visit - and the Fleet’s day of destiny is now just HOURS away.

When Michael Bostwick thumped home THAT injury time equaliser at Blue Square Premier champions-elect Aldershot Town in the second leg of the semi-final, I jumped up in a crowded press box, and screamed “We’re going there, we’ve done it, we’re going there!” as the Fleet sealed a famous 4-2 aggregate win against a side that will be playing League Two football in August.

However, the atmosphere at the Recreation Ground as the Shots piled on the pressure made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and my heart sunk when they took the lead.

But the brave hearts of Ebbsfleet United ensured Bostwick’s equaliser realised all our dreams. Wembley, and I still can’t believe it, here we come!

The Fleet relish their UNDERDOG tag. They’ve already seen of the likes of Burton Albion and Aldershot en-route to the Arch - let’s add Torquay United to that list tomorrow!

Seeing Thatcham Town lift the Conference Youth League Championship play-off at Stonebridge Road on Wednesday night, against the Fleet’s PASE side, hurt - I don’t want to be feeling like that at Wembley Stadium.

In fact losing at Wembley hasn’t even crossed my mind. The Fleet will be bringing the FA Carlsberg Trophy back to Kent tomorrow evening.

The last time I was this confident that a Kent side would win a FA Trophy tie was when Tonbridge Angels, struggling in the Ryman Premier League at the time, played giants Oxford United in the first round.

An enjoyable day at the Kassam Stadium - holding the Blue Square Premier side to a goal-less draw at the Kassam Stadium, then the biggest stadium that I’ve seen a Kent non-league club play at, at the time - was followed by THAT famous 1-0 replay win at Longmead Stadium.

Since the Angels sorry exit at the hands of AFC Wimbledon in the second round, it’s been a pleasure to follow the Fleet in the competition, watching Weymouth (home), the quarter-final home replay win over Burton Albion and the two epic ties against the Shots.

There can be no prouder moment in the game than to see Paul McCarthy walk up those 107 steps to hold that trophy aloft.

I don’t make predictions on this website, but I will on this special occasion.

The Fleet will win 2-0 with Stacy Long scoring in the first half with home-grown striker John Akinde breaking away late in the second half to seal a famous win.

Whatever happens, the Kentish football family are extremely proud of the Fleet’s achievements this season.

I had tears in my eyes when both Dover Athletic (following their home win over Burgess Hill Town) and Dartford (losing at Edgware Town) won their respective Ryman League titles - I'm sure I'll be more emotional throughout tomorrow.

Tomorrow is the Fleet’s day of destiny. It’s all about what WE do. Let’s all wear red, cheer the boys on to Wembley glory and ensure that WE BRING THAT TROPHY HOME!

COME ON THE FLEET

Stephen McCartney
Editor