From the depths of a back up supplied by Michael McQuillan, the original WBFC webmaster, the man who first set up a club website:
Preparations are going well both on and off the field for tomorrow’s final and Bay boss Ian Chandler took time out to chat to the website about the big game.
“Being back at Wembley so soon is an awesome feeling, it’s sunk in at last and I’m enjoying the build up, especially now the league campaign is over. I’ve got most of my team picked with a couple of places up for grabs still. Losing Davey was a big blow and whilst Darren got through the 2nd semi final and the Northumberland Senior Cup Final at St James, I’m still only rating him as 50:50 for Wembley.”
“We’ve had Wroxham watched as we do all of our opponents and we have some ideas of where they are strong and perhaps where we can exploit some of their weaknesses. They’ve done exceptionally well to reach the final, as have we and we’ll give them full respect. I did read with interest the Wroxham manager’s comments that they were happier to play us than Barwell. I have to say I totally agree with him, I’m much happier that they’re playing us!”
“I think our run to the final this year has been tough and we’ve beaten some very good sides on the way. In fact I’d say each round the games got harder and harder, and looking back for us to have beaten teams like Alsager, Boldsmere, Poole, Chertsey, Shildon and Barwell I can say for certain this year has been much harder. We’ve also had our usually sending’s off, Hodgy at Chertsey and Daz at Shildon, getting back to Wembley shouldn’t be (and very much hasn’t been) easy!”
“I must pay tribute to our fans too. Without them I dare say we might not have got through against Chertsey and Barwell to name 2 crucial games where they backed up to the hilt, they’ll have their part to play at Wembley again.”
“We’ll be setting off from Whitley Bay on the Saturday morning and having an hour’s training session at Watford’s facilities. We’ll then be heading to the same hotel we used last season and looking to arrive at Wembley on the day for about 1.30 to absorb the occasion.”
“My last thoughts go out to former player (but current influence on the team) Mark Taylor, what a difference a year makes, and here’s hoping he enjoys his return to Wembley with us. You never know what’s round the corner, possible cure, who knows?”
