Fleet marching to the Wembley Arch: Let's make it a day to remember - Daish

EBBSFLEET UNITED boss Liam Daish has issued a rallying cry for fans to drop everything and cheer on his side to the Wembley arch, writes Stephen McCartney.

A crowd of over 3,000 will flock through the turnstiles at Stonebridge Road for the high-noon showdown against Blue Square Premier leaders Aldershot Town in the FA Carlsberg Trophy semi-final first leg on Saturday.

The north Kent club are just 180 minutes away from their first ever visit to Wembley Stadium where they’ll lock horns with Torquay United or York City on 10^th May (2:30pm).

Daish has challenged the Kent football public to get behind his side as they bid to create another piece of history.

The Fleet, never in the semi-finals before, are more than capable of knocking out Aldershot Town, although the Hampshire side are 24 points clear of the tenth placed Kent side.

“I’ve said to the players in there, looking a little bit forward as a manager does, they’ve got a great chance of achieving something on Saturday,” he told www.kentishfootball.co.uk following their 2-1 home win over Salisbury City last night.

“It might be a long, long, long, long time before they get that chance to do that again.

“To achieve, to win promotions or win cups or whatever it is, trophies, you’ve got to take your destiny more in your own hands and control the game.

“I just want the players to achieve. They’re in touching distance of doing something really special and I’m trying to make them realise that.”

Daish, meanwhile criticised Kent Police for forcing the Kent club to bring the game forward three hours to 12 o’clock.

“Firstly I can’t understand why it is a 12 o’clock?” Daish fumed.

“I mean, Ebbsfleet United versus Aldershot - we should be able to deal with that.

“Aldershot are top of the league, they’re playing high profile games week in week out. I don’t see any other local constabularies bringing their games forward to 12 o’clock. Why is it us?

“But we’ve got to go with that so we’ll try and prepare but it’s the same for Aldershot. It’s not ideal, we’ll probably lose a lot of money from it through bar takings and what have you.

“Hopefully we’ll turn out in force. I know it’s a 12 o’clock (kick off) and probably caught a few people out but it might be a while before we’re in a semi-final of a major trophy so go to Bluewater next Saturday, or the following Saturday or something.

“If you’ve got to drop, bring the kids. If the missus wants to, bring the missus here. It might be a long time before we’re in this position again.”

Daish quickly glimpsed to the vacated Swanscombe end of the ground, knowing come Saturday over a thousand Aldershot Town fans will be housed.

“As much as I’m telling the players to realise it, fans (must) realise it as well,” said Daish.

“We’re in a major semi-final that has got a trip to Wembley and it will be great to see a full house here and being at home our home support making more noise than what Aldershot will bring, because they will bring a lot.”

TICKET PRICES

Ebbsfleet United advise supporters to purchase their tickets from the club office at Stonebridge Road in person to avoid turnstile queues.

Tickets can be purchased at the turnstiles. The game is NOT all-ticket.

Tickets are priced at £13 (adults) and £7 (concessions) and an extra £2 for seating. These are the normal prices for Blue Square Premier games.

Turnstiles open at 10:30am - kick off is at 12 noon

The club are producing a special, souvenir edition of the match day programme to commemorate the fact that it is the first time the club have reached the FA Trophy semi-finals.

“Fans can purchase tickets from the office throughout the week as well as on the game at Saturday’s game,” said club spokesperson Rachel Willett.

“Please bring as many friends as possible to the game. It is, without doubt, the biggest for quite a number of seasons and we would love a bumper crowd.”

CAR PARKING

Supporters are advised that they will be able to park in Car Park C at Ebbsfleet International Station from 10am until 3pm - the cost is £2 and the area is covered by CCTV

SECOND LEG

The second leg takes place at the Recreation Ground, High Street, Aldershot on Saturday, 15^th March 2008. Kick off 3pm.

COVERAGE

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game

Join Charles Webster on the BBC Radio Kent website for UK coverage - www.bbc.co.uk/kent and listen to post-match reaction on 96.7FM from 2pm.

Visit Ebbsfleet United’s website: www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk

Ebbsfleet United v Aldershot Town
FA Carlsberg Trophy Semi-Final First Leg
Saturday 8^th March 2008
Kick off 12 NOON
At Stonebridge Road, Northfleet, Kent DA11 9GN