Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea. Those are just some of the clubs that have stepped foot on the hallowed turf of Wembley Stadium, but an unlikely name will join that list on Saturday 11th May.
That name is Romford Football Club.
Romford defeated Lincoln United 10-9 on penalties in the Semi-Final of the Isuzu FA Vase to book their place in the final where they will face fellow Essex Senior League side, Great Wakering Rovers.
Looking Forward
Star striker, Hassan Nalbant currently sits second in the Essex Senior League Golden Boot race after scoring thirty goals in all competitions for The Boro. Nalbant has also had previous experience stepping out onto the big stage having played in the “national stadium in Cyprus many times” but he’s excited by the opportunity ahead.
“The lads I’m playing with are a great bunch, and I’m really enjoying it with them. Hopefully, this season we can get over the line with promotion and winning the vase.
“I felt we deserved to be in the final” Hassan added, “everything lined up for us to get there, so if we did get knocked out it would have been a shock.
“I feel we can beat anyone at step 5 and even step 4. Great Wakering are a good side, but if we turn up and apply ourselves 100%. There is no team at this level stopping us.”
Hursit Brothers
The pressure landed on Jamie Hursit’s shoulders in the penalty shootout vs Lincoln. After 11 penalties each, Cotton stepped up for The Whites and sent his penalty wide, leaving Hursit with the opportunity to do the unimaginable.
“To be honest I had mixed emotions when I scored the winning penalty, excitement of course,” Hursit explained. “I just ran towards the fans because we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them! But once it sunk in that we are going to Wembley it was very emotional.
“I’ve won multiple leagues and been involved in big games, but they come nowhere near getting to Wembley! There are players who have played professional football who have never played there, and I’m going to get that chance. It’s the biggest achievement for me personally!”
It’s not every day that you get a chance to play at Wembley, but it is even more unlikely that you can experience it with your brother. But that dream became a reality for Jamie Hursit, who scored the winning penalty to send him and Lee Hursit to the FA Vase final.
“My family have always been football-orientated. To be able to do this with my brother, who is also my best friend is an amazing feeling. I couldn’t be prouder of what we have achieved together, and I hope we have plenty more moments like this!
“I had a conversation with him after we went home via text, and it made me teary just telling him how proud I was of him.”
Where Romford Stand
Romford have seen success not only in the Vase but in the league too as they currently sit in a playoff spot with the possibility of automatic promotion. Despite Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City making it look easy to fight on all fronts, Jamie Hursit explained how he and his teammates are dealing with the challenge.
“It can be difficult to switch your mind onto the league when you’ve made history for the club just days before. Dan Spinks (Romford FC Manager) told us from the start that the Vase is a bonus, we want to get promoted out of the Essex Senior League and that is our main focus.
“We have a big squad so player rotation has been important this season and I think as of yet it’s been great as everyone gets game time and is more than capable of doing a good job to keep winning games!”
Club chairman, Steve Gardener seconded this by adding, “At the beginning of the season our aim was promotion, and it still is, this is a fantastic bonus.
“(If I could only have one) It’s so difficult to choose between the two. Before the semi-final, I would have said the league and I think I will be most disappointed if we don’t get promoted. In a strange way getting to the final is the prize, will have a day out at Wembley. But promotion would last all next season!
“I’m guessing both teams will take a similar number of supporters to Wembley and the colours of the two teams are so contrasting it should make a fantastic spectacle. The games we have played this season will be irrelevant. One game 90 minutes, and two very well-matched teams.”
Importance of the Competition
First won by Ascot United back in 1974, the FA Vase holds significant importance within the English Football Pyramid. Not only is it an opportunity for players in Non-League to dine at football’s top table, but the competition also acts as a platform to highlight the talent, pride and dedication of local clubs. The FA Vase also includes significant financial benefits for the clubs that make it the farthest with the winner receiving £30,000 and the runners-up earning £15,000.
“Being in the final of the FA Vase is a massive achievement,” said Steve Gardener. “Financially the money generated, which wasn’t planned, means we can start planning for next season.
“We can also reach out to more sponsors, and those that already sponsor the club will have achieved a good level of exposure. It also galvanises the local community. We are getting enquiries for merchandise, season tickets, and many people who don’t usually follow us want to travel to Wembley.”
The Final
Romford have faced Great Wakering Rovers twice this season in the league and took all six points from Marcus Bowers’ side. The first came back in August (before Bowers’ appointment in October) where Romford came out 3-2 victors and the second in March where Sam Deering scored the only goal at Rookery Hill.
Day one ticket sales reached 1,215 for these two very evenly matched teams who come from what has been described as the “toughest Essex Senior League ever.” Best of luck to both clubs, making Essex proud!
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