LITTLEHAMPTON AND NEWPORT PAGNELL

 

FA Vase final - Littlehampton Town v Newport Pagnell Town
Venue: Wembley Date: Sunday, 22 May Kick-off: 12:15 BST Coverage: Listen to online radio commentary from BBC Sussex and BBC Three Counties Radio, report on BBC Sport website.

Many footballing legends have all climbed the steps to lift a trophy under the famous Wembley arch. This weekend, Littlehampton Town and Newport Pagnell Town have their chance to write their names in history. With a £30,000 prize on the line, the two clubs will contest the FA Vase Final at England's home of football.  

The ninth and 10th tier sides meet before Bromley take on Wrexham in the FA Trophy on a blockbuster day of non-league football.

Littlehampton Town Football Club is a football club based on the South coast, in West Sussex. The club was established in 1896 and joined the Sussex County League in 1928. In the 1990–91 season, they reached the 1st round of the FA Cup. They are currently members of the Southern Combination, Premier Division and play at The Sportsfield.

'Everyone in the town will have a great day out', said the club chairman. Littlehampton reached Wembley despite losing 5-0 in the fifth round to Athletic Newham, who were subsequently removed from the competition after being charged by the FA for twice fielding an ineligible player.!!

En route they beat Moneyfields 3-2, Deal Town 1-2 (a), Sheppey Utd 1-0, Brockenhurst 3-3 on pens, North Shields 1-0 and Loughborough Utd  4-0.

The team prepared for the final by training at Brighton and Hove Albion's Lancing training centre.

Player-manager, George Gaskin said the experience of playing on pristine pitches would prepare the team well for Wembley's immaculate playing surface. "It was unbelievable having that little feel about being a pro footballer," he told BBC Radio Sussex. "The pitches being absolutely perfect and having everything you need there, we can't thank them enough. "Going ahead of the Vase Final will be the perfect way to keep progressing through the week." For Brighton fan Liam Humphreys, 34, the experience was extra special and he hopes to win the trophy to give the local fans a day to remember. "It means a lot to everyone here at the club," he said. "All of the committee, fans and players deserve it. Everyone in the town will have a great day out and enjoy it and hopefully we can do the stuff on the pitch and they can go home even happier." The Hollywood factor adds an extra sparkle!! 

The Vase finalists had been allocated 7,000 tickets each and Newport Pagnell were close to selling out. The winning club will receive £30,000 - double the runners-up prize of £15,000, so worth the effort. 

The FA Vase kicks off at 12:15 BST on Sunday, 22 May (tomorrow), followed by the FA Trophy final between Bromley and Wrexham at 16:15 BST.

Newport Pagnell, reached the final via a penalty-shootout victory over Hamworthy United (a club based in Poole). Following this success, they warmed up for Wembley with a behind-closed-doors fixture against an MK Dons XI and a match against Watford's under-23s. "It's sunk in a bit among everybody now we're getting closer to the big day," head of football Vivion Cox told the Non-League Show on BBC Three Counties Radio. 

The Swans were founded in 1963 and play in the United Counties League  Premier Division.

"With Wrexham being at Wembley as well, along with the Ryan Reynolds, the Wrexham co-owner with Rob McElhenney, there should be a big crowd at the stadium with a fantastic atmosphere."