28 years ago today, Witton Albion Football Club embarked on what must be considered as one, if not the greatest days in their history when they stepped out at the national stadium in the FA Challenge Trophy Final. Having overcome Marine in a two-legged semi final, Conference Champions Colchester United who were full-time stood between them and Nonleague’s biggest prize. Albion were massive underdogs but had beaten Colchester on their route to the last four the previous year so anything was possible. Despite a gallant performance, Peter O’Brien’s charges were unable to repeat the feat but left Wembley Stadium with their heads high and they had given a great following a day that result apart, will live long in the memory. Oh for another day like that but hopefully with a different outcome.
Great memories Derek. As Football Secretary, I went down on the team bus, and spent a long weekend down there. On the 2nd day there, we drove to Wembley to have a look around the empty ground. I took a video of some of the players, and then put the video camera on the grass whilst I took some still pictures. A forget to switch off the video camera, and as such, I got 30mins of film of grass. I’ve still got it somewhere. I also remember going to Arsenal’s training ground on the 2nd day, where the players had a training session. The best bit was walking out behind the players from the dressing room onto the pitch at the start of the game. I then walked around the pitch on the running tracks, and walked up the steps to the Royal Box to join my family. Great memories!