On a weekend when Wembley is beginning to host the end of season play offs and other "final" games, I go back 12 years to May 12th 2007, when Stevenage Borough's captain, Ronnie Henry, climbed the 107 steps to the Royal Box, to receive the FA Trophy when his team beat Kidderminster Harriers 3-2. Just over 53,000 turned up to see the spectacle. This was the first match to be played at the "New Wembley".The previous Royal Box had only 39 steps to ascend.
Seven days later Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0 in front of 89,826 crowd to win the FA Cup.
Yesterday the Class of '92 saw their well paid team, Salford City, beat AFC Fylde at Wembley, in the National League play off, to secure a place in the Football League next season. It has taken just 4 promotions in 5 years to fulfill their target of reaching the Football League. This is the first time that David Beckham and his fellow United investors have seen their team progress through the "top flight" of Non-League Football at the first time of asking.
Today at less special venues, the National League North play-off was between Chorley and Spennymoor Town ending with two goals at 103 minutes and 105 minutes to end 1-1. It went to penalties and Chorley won 4-3.
The South final was contested by Woking and Welling United, the southerners winning 1-0.
Chorley and Woking go UP!
The Northern Premier League Premier Division saw South Shields lose to Warrington Town 1-2.
On Saturday 18th May is the FA Cup Final at Wembley and the following day, The FA Vase Final is being fought out on Sunday 19th by Chertsey Town and Cray Valley PM (Paper Mills) at 12.15 with this year's FA Trophy following on between AFC Fylde and Leyton Orient 4.15pm ko. Definitely a Non-League Day.
Elsewhere in the Professional Development League finale, Leeds Utd U23 beat Birmingham U23 0, not at the National Stadium!.
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