Grimsby Town played Halifax Town for the honour of lifting the FA Trophy, but it was the early 12.15 kick off for the FA Vase final that brought ex Football League team Hereford United to Wembley.
Revitalised by a loyal fan base, the Bulls were supported by a crowd of 19,000 from the Welsh borders and a prize Hereford Bull called Hawkesbury Ronaldo, weighing in at 1.3 tons. The FA officials are allowing the mascot on to the pitch before the game. After a series of disasters, Hereford had no club in December 2014 and their officials have now staged a remarkable recovery being rewarded by this day out at Wembley.
Sadly it did not quite work out for the Bulls as they were comfortably beaten by Northumbrians Morpeth FC. Morpeth is a small town in the north-east and it was estimated that the "Highwaymen" brought 25% of the local population in support.
The club had some trials en route to the final, finding themselves 0-4 down in the 1st Round against West Didsbury and Chorlton, pulling back to a 5-4 victory. They also had a 3rd Round 3-3 draw against South Shields, eventually winning 10-9 on penalties. They have also played 22 games in 51 days, catching up on delayed league games which left them 3rd in the league.
In the Trophy, there was a remarkable turn round in fortunes, as FC Halifax Town upset the odds by beating The Mariners 1-0. The Shaymen, having recently been relegated to the National League North, now hold the Trophy for the first time. Grimsby, losing finalists in 2013, have gone in the other direction in league football, recently beating Forest Green Rovers in the National League Play Off at Wembley.
In the two league fixtures between the clubs this season, Grimsby won 7-0 and Halifax 4-2.
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