Ten years ago today Whitley Bay drew 1-1 in the second leg of the FA Vase semi final at Lowestoft to win the tie 3-2 on aggregate and reach Wembley for the first time in the club’s history. It also meant that Whitley would become the first team from the north east to play at the new Wembley Stadium.
With well over 2000 fans packed into the ground, the 2-1 first leg lead was quickly cancelled out as Lowestoft scored after just three minutes but Whitley responded eleven minutes later when Leon Ryan headed home the equaliser. A red card for Lee Kerr left Whitley to play for more than an hour with just ten men but they defended superbly and at the final whistle the 200 Bay fans who had travelled down to Suffolk raced onto the pitch to celebrate with the players, an unforgettable experience for all who were lucky enough to be there!
Relive the occasion now in the match report from the archives website, and the match photos .
Some of the players involved in the game share their memories of that historic day, but first it’s manager Ian Chandler who recalls the events of April 4th 2009:
“From what I remember Phil started the game as a lone striker with Chowie dropping to the bench. We made the decision prior to the home game the previous week and we stuck to our plan even after Chowie had played so well and scored that vital goal.
Phil’s job was to work their defenders at every opportunity giving them no time to play and what a job he did, he was all over the pitch especially after Mr Kerr got his matching orders The second time in two years we had a player sent off on their pitch. But this time we did not cave in and concede four goals however we did concede not long after that incident which was a massive blow.
Even with 10 men we played our normal attacking style which saw us gradually get into the game leading to that wonderful moment from the corner the giant that was leon Ryan rose and powered home the header 1-1 on the day 2-1 lead overall, then the moment I never forget when Leon ran towards the fans from where the corner was taken and several of them leaned forward and down they went. No one was hurt thankfully.
Half time came and went then I spent probably 30 plus minutes sitting on a water cooler in the dugout until the final few minutes when they pressed for the equaliser which never came.
Finally the fourth official leaned over to me on my water cooler and said ‘well done Ian fantastic victory’ then the whistle went and our fans invaded the pitch, I didn’t know where to look or what to do the emotions were flowing, the sense of relief, revenge and any other words you could think of went through my head. What a night we had, the smiles could be seen across everyone’s face for hours and hours, great times!”
Goalkeeper Terry Burke
“Obviously, we all knew about how difficult the game would be down at Lowestoft having taken a heavy defeat down there the season before. But having experienced being so close to reaching Wembley the year before, we were determined not to let that happen again this time. I genuinely believe that harsh experience and determination was what got us through that extremely difficult game.
It was difficult to stay calm during the game, knowing we were so close, but one simple loss of concentration or mistake would change everything. I would even say there were many parts of the game I can’t even remember due to concentrating so much! For me, it was all about protecting the first half (that was what cost us the year before) weathering the storm and still being in the game at half time. Obviously we did that and I was confident in the second half we would do what we needed to do to get us through.
The lads in front of me were rock solid the whole game and we defended all of the way through the team including the strikers. Defending was never Chan’s strongest management skill, always preferring to take the offensive, but that day we were very difficult to breakdown and for me that’s what got us through.
The last 10 minutes seemed to take for ever, but in particular the back four defended probably the best I had ever seen them.
When the whistle blew, the word I would use was relief more than anything else and of course being part of the tremendous celebrations on the pitch with the team, management and fans.
A great team and great memories!”
Craig McFarlane
“I remember us having the worst possible start to the game which was not ideal but the highlight of the game was of course getting the equaliser courtesy of Leon Ryan and then celebrating in the corner as a team and with the fans before the plastic hoardings gave way and seeing a number of the fans tumbling onto the pitch in complete euphoria. I remember Sparky getting sent off and us having to play majority of the game with ten men. Fortunately for us we were able to dig deep and see the game out. As soon as that whistle blew I remember breaking down in tears of emotion and seeing a sea of Whitley Bay fans along with my mam and dad running towards us from the opposite end of the ground to share the celebrations with the lads, which was just made up of singing, dancing and hugging etc. From this point it was just one massive party (without the alcohol), something I will never forget.”
Phill Bell
“I remember the day really well, how could I forget! I remember getting injured (back went!) 20 minutes after coming on as a sub in the first leg and the next week going to get physio every day to make it in time for second leg. Thankfully I made it just and Chan started me instead of Chowy (he clearly went for graft over goal scoring talent that day). I didn’t get off to the best start as their goal was a result of me clearing the ball straight off their centre back’s knee into the net when I was back defending an early corner, but then Leon scored the equaliser and I remember us all celebrating in the corner with the fans and the wall collapsing from all the weight! Then Sparky got sent off which obviously didn’t help, Now we were down to 10 men I was up front on my own just basically chasing my own flick ons and hassling defenders for what seemed like an age….they naturally gained more and more possession as we tired and I think I was subbed with 10 mins to go. The longest 10 minutes in the history of mankind. I remember not being able to sit still and I think it was Adam Johnston I had in a kind of arm round the shoulder head lock ha….when the whistle finally went (not long after they hit the bar I think?) it was pure euphoria….probably the best moment of my career….for me it eclipses the final as it was such a huge relief to finally be assured of playing at Wembley and we had overcome a really good side who had done us the previous year (although I was then at Blyth I still remember feeling gutted about the result). The celebrations were unreal, literally every player, supporter, manager, backroom staff piled onto the pitch and just embraced in wild hugging and celebrations…it was quite emotional really, looking back it was just an amazing day which truly brought out the special relationship between that squad, the supporters and the club officials.”
