Yesterday I had the pleasure of watching the FA Trophy final at Wembley.
Fallen "giants" Wrexham were taking on North Ferriby United. Ferriby come from a village just west of Hull that I've been to watch a number of times while I've been at university there. The population of Ferriby is just over 3,000 people and it's fair to say they were plucky underdogs going into the game. The team were third from bottom of the Northern Premier League when manager Billy Heath took over in 2011. Last season they narrowly missed out on promotion to the Conference.
There were nearly 15,000 supporters at the game, and despite the sheer size of the stadium the atmosphere wasn't lacking...dare I say it was probably better than England's game on Friday night? I couldn't say I wasn't there. Wrexham bought with them 10,000 supporters with Ferriby's small but vocal contingent being around 4,000. The whole village must have been there. There was a large group of 16 year olds that didn't stop singing for the full game, including pulling out one or two Poznan's. The blokes from the pie shop (North Ferriby Utd is home to an award winning pie) came out in force, all donning their white and green butchers hats which cued a large chorus of lads (who seemed to have been enjoying a few early drinks) to start singing chants about how they prefer going to the Indian. It was a really friendly crowd, no expectations, everyone was just there to have a good time.
Wrexham took the lead after around 20 minutes, but Ferriby responded well. At HT it was 1-0 to the Welshmen, but Ferriby were coming back into the game. When the second half kicked of Ferriby's pacey winger St Juste started giving the Wrexham full back all sorts of trouble, but Wrexham took a 2-0 lead and it looked like the game would be over. However with 10 minutes to go Ferriby won themselves a penalty, and skipper King duly stepped up to put it away. Game on.
Carnage ensued in added time where (if he wasn't already) new club legend Ryan Kendall, who has come off the bench three times already to score at the death in this tournament, tapped in a cross from St Juste. I was only a nipper back in 1998 when I watched the play-off final but I was having flash backs. Extra timed beckoned, and despite having the momentum it seemed as if the huge pitch and Wrexham professional status would pay dividends (Ferriby play on a tiny pitch and only train for three hours a week).
But it was that man Ryan Kendall again, this time with a header from a cross to put the Villagers ahead 3-2. The place was bouncing, the scenes were unbelievable, indescribable. However Wrexham were determined to spoil the party and equalised right at the death. Time for penalties.
Ferriby got a good start in the penalties, scoring their first three, but missing their subsequent final two meant it went to sudden death. Scoring their first two in sudden death keeper Adam Nicklin saved Wrexham's 7th penalty and North Ferriby were crowned champions. Hugs were shared with anyone who was there. It was a fantastic day for everyone from the little Yorkshire village, and anyone associated to it. It was all a bit emotional, without doubt one of the greatest matches I've ever been to. I defy anyone to tell me there has been a better game played at Wembley since our infamous win over Sunderland back in 1998.
As a student my ticket cost me £10, my dad who came along paid £20. You don't get better value for money than that.
So I just wanted to say congratulations North Ferriby, my second team, and Up the Villagers!
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http://sport.bt.com/all-the-goals/goals-north-ferriby-3-3-wrexham-5-4-on-pens-91363972125389
Was really pleased when they won the penalty shoot out, bet there was some party afterwards !
It was a cracker.
Wrexham snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, when they were 2 up, took off their Captain, and i'm sure the manager will rue this decision in retrospect.
This was the polar opposite of the premiership, with North Ferriby the village team from
East Yorkshire playing for the sheer joy of kicking a football around at the national stadium. 3-3 AET and 4-3 with saves and misses in the shoot out.
A great watch for a football fan. (better than a International Friendly)
As the game was on BT i was surprised to hear that if they hadn't won the 50K prize money North Ferriby would've been out of pocket ?
If Prem teams are getting their 10 million a match how come The FA trophy teams get nothing( as reported in the i)
I would expect to see the club in the conference within the next couple of seasons. From there they could well do 'a Fleetwood' and go all the way to the Football League.