You can't beat that Wembley winning feeling, says Seager - EXCLUSIVE

WEMBLEY WINNER Marc Seager has urged Ebbsfleet United’s players to grasp an opportunity of a lifetime - playing and winning at Wembley Stadium, writes Stephen McCartney.

THIS ARTICLE INCLUDES AN UPDATE ON TOMMY SAMPSON

Seager played in the Deal Town side that won the last ever FA Carlsberg Vase Final underneath the Twin Towers at the Venue of Legends in 2000.

Now 35, Seager is managing Ryman League Division One South club Whitstable Town and was the first manager to bring the Kent League title to Belmont Road - in his first full season as a manager - last term.

And Rainham resident Seager is looking forward to watching the Blue Square Premier club play underneath the Wembley Arch on 10^th May.

Seager is praying that Fleet’s teenage striker John Akinde, who spent a couple of loan periods at Belmont Road in the last two seasons, is the hero in Saturday’s second leg at Aldershot Town.

Heroic Fleet sealed an impressive 3-1 win over the Blue Square Premier leaders in the first leg at Stonebridge Road last weekend.

And Liam Daish’s men are just 90 minutes away from playing at Wembley Stadium for the very first time in the club’s history.

“We’ve got a good relationship with Liam Daish,” Seager said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight.

“We’ve had John Akinde on loan and it’s fantastic to see where John’s gone. Ninety minutes away from Wembley and the most talked about striker in Kent.

“He deserves everything he’s achieving. Playing at Wembley would be great for the lad.”

Seager has experienced playing on the hallowed turf, celebrating a 1-0 win over Chippenham Town, courtesy of Roly Graham’s dramatic late strike.

“I was part of the Deal side and that was great for Kent football,” recalled Seager. “It gave Kent football a buzz.

“Whether you support Ebbsfleet or not, everyone wants to know how their doing. The most talked about game on Saturday will be Ebbsfleet. The whole of Kent will be behind them.

“I’m looking forward to watching them - and John - at Wembley!”

Seager recalled Deal Town’s semi-final victory up at Newcastle Town eight years ago and knows exactly how the Fleet players are feeling during the week leading up to the big second-leg showdown in Hampshire.

The only difference between the two clubs was Seager was working - and still is - a lorry driver, whilst Fleet’s heroes are full-time professionals.

“The semi was the most nervous of the rounds as it’s the worst game to lose,” explained Seager.

“We went away to Newcastle Town, won 2-0, a great result away from home and it did ease a lot of pressure.

“When we got around to the home game there was 3,500 at the Charles Sports Ground. We were a bit fortunate that day, a defender’s clearance came off Roly Graham’s knee and flew into the top corner and we went on to get the job done. The rest is history and we got the job done at Wembley.”

Seager admitted that he didn’t feel any nerves as he played the biggest game of his playing career.

He said: “The day I played at Wembley I wasn’t nervous. You just want to enjoy it and remember every minute and even though you want to win, you can have playing at Wembley on your CV.

“Everyone only remembers the winners not losers but for me and 15 other people I’m lucky enough to say I’ve won at Wembley. Something I’ll live with and be proud off for ever.”

Last Saturday’s 3-1 victory has everybody in Kent dreaming off a day out at Wembley Stadium but be warned, Aldershot Town will not lie down and die.

“They’re up against a very good side,” warned Seager. “Aldershot are storming away with their league but it shows that Ebbsfleet can stand toe-to-toe with any team in that League.

“If anyone said to Liam they would win that (first-leg) game 3-1, he would snap their hand off.

“There’s going to be a big crowd, Aldershot fans are used to big crowds every week. It’s going to be a big atmosphere and their fans will get right behind their team.

“Aldershot are the ones that have the nerves and have to score three goals and I’m confident that Ebbsfleet on the day can score.

“You don’t want to give your opponents an early lift.

“I fancy Ebbsfleet to get a draw there. It will be tough for them on the day but they’ll make their way into the final.”

Seager would have loved to spend all week on the training ground before fulfilling his Wembley dream.

He said: “I’d rather been where they are training during the day than driving a lorry,” he said. “I’d snap their hand off what they’re doing.

“Ebbsfleet are a professional club with Liam - a top pro - and like (assistant) Alan Kimble, have played in the Premiership.

“Ron Hillyard holds the appearance record for Gillingham, a very intelligent man. They will prepare the team in the right way.

“Whether you’re a full-time pro or semi-pro the chance of playing at Wembley you still need the big players to rise to the big games and on Saturday Liam will find out who his big players are.

“The big players rise above the nerves and put in the performance when it matters.

“I think he’s got some big players and there’s no-one bigger than John Akinde at the moment. He’s been struggling with an injury lately but hopefully he will play some part.

“I’d love to see the young lad become the hero. I’m very confident of them getting the job done, providing they don’t give Aldershot an early lift.

“I’m sure we’ll be watching them at Wembley!”

Of THAT Deal Town side only Jamie Kempster (Cray Wanderers) and Jamie Turner (Welling United) are still playing at this moment in time for Kent clubs, whilst Seager and Steve Lovell (Sittingbourne and now Ashford Town) have moved into management and Steve Best is the assistant-manager at Chatham Town.

Tommy Sampson, the manager of Deal Town at the time, is very much in our thoughts as he recovers from the minor stroke that he suffered last December.

Seager revealed the 53-year-old's progress.

“Tommy’s come along really well,” said Seager. “He’s at a private hospital in Sevenoaks and he’s coming through his rehabilitation really well, taking steps in the right direction.

“We knew it was a long process. I think he’s realised it’s a long process but he’s seeing the light and it’s not too long before he’s back in the dug-out.

“At the moment he’s doing his rehabilitation, that’s going along well. It doesn’t matter how long Tommy comes back but the main thing is he does come back.

“He’s dying to get back into the dug-out and that’s where Tommy belongs. Whether it takes three, six months or a year, he will be back.”

Visit Ebbsfleet United’s website:  www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game.

Join Charles Webster on the BBC Radio Kent for LIVE Website coverage for UK listeners only on www.bbc.co.uk/kent or regular updates on 96.7FM.