Kentish Football 
THE FA CARLSBERG TROPHY FINAL - BUILD UP: EBBSFLEET UNITED v TORQUAY UNITED
EBBSFLEET UNITED v TORQUAY UNITED
FA CARLSBERG TROPHY FINAL
Saturday 10th May 2008
Stephen McCartney and Paul Parkinson report from Wembley Stadium
PRESS REFRESH FOR LIVE UPDATES
(* Subject to internet and server connections)
THE FLEET’S day of destiny has finally arrived.
Click below for the BUILD-UP to Kent’s BIG DAY out at Wembley.
14:25 - PROUDEST EVER MOMENT
Fleet boss Liam Daish, followed by skipper Paul McCarthy and the rest of the Fleet heroes - and their opponents Torquay United - walk out onto the hallowed turf of Wembley Stadium, each holding a club mascot. Your editor, Stephen McCartney, is feeling the emotion of this occasion take grip. COME ON THE FLEET!
14:24
The big TV screens at either end of the stadium show the players are now in the tunnel.
Coverage of this showpiece final, however, is being screened on television screens here in the press box - by Sky Sports.
LIVE COVERAGE
14:19
Paul Parkinson says: “With ten minutes to go the noise levels are rising, let’s hope everyone whether their at Wembley or not, cheer the Fleet onto a famous and historic victory!”
14:16
The two clubs mascots are announced over the public address system.
14:15
With just 15 minutes remaining before kick-off, the pride and passion increases, all round this stunning Stadium. The mobile phone companies are doing very well today as fans phone each other up - and friends and family back at home.
14:14
Fans can send their views on Kent’s BIG DAY OUT during and after the game - click on CONTACT US.
14:12
Are there any people at home in the north Kent towns of Gravesend, Northfleet and surrounding areas today? Everyone involved with football here in the Garden of England are fully backing the Fleet to bring the FA Trophy back home - for the very first time.
14:09
With twenty minutes to go, Torquay United leave the pitch for the sanctuary of the away dressing room and as the red carpet is laid out in on the touchline in front of the technical areas, the Ebbsfleet United run past to the acclaim of their hoard of supporters.
14:07
It’s very noticeable from where we’re sitting, about 25-yards from the Fleet by-line, how the Fleet support, will take up not only the whole bottom tier assigned to them, but it’s starting to stretch round the third tier at the western end of Wembley Stadium.
13:50
The public address announcer announces both team line-ups as both sets of supporters cheer their heroes. Notice that the Torquay fans booed when the name of Fleet’s right-wing back Chris McPhee was announced - he played for the Gulls in their ill-fated League Two campaign last season.
13:48
The press are handed their team-sheets.Ebbsfleet United: Lance Cronin, Peter Hawkins, James Smith, Paul McCarthy, Chris McPhee, Neil Barrett, Michael Bostwick, Stacy Long, Sacha Opinel, Luke Moore, John Akinde.
Subs: Sam Mott, Gary MacDonald, Chukki Erribenne, Mark Ricketts, George Purcell.
Torquay United: Martin Rice, Kevin Nicholson, Steve Woods, Chris Todd, Lee Mansell, Tim Sills, Lee Phillips, Chris Hargreaves, Roscoe D’Sane, Steve Adams, Chris Zebroski.
Subs: Chris Robertson, Elliott Benyon, Kevin Hill, Matt Hockley, Danny Stevens.
13:46
The rest of the Torquay United players come out to great support from the fans that have travelled from Devon - the Fleet fans boo. On the big screens they show “Some of Wembley’s Great Moments.” The likes of Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, Bobby Charlton, Paul Gascoigne, Gary Lineker, Freddie Mecury, Madonna, Live Aid, have played here previously. Add to that long list the likes of Stacy Long, Paul McCarthy and three Gravesend lads, John Akinde, Luke Moore and George Purcell.
13:45
Life-long Fleet fan and BBC Radio Kent commentator Charles Webster says: “in his heart he believes that with two weeks of rest and proper preparation, there should be no way that Torquay can compete with the Fleet side.”
13:41
A huge cheer comes from the Fleet fans as their heroic players run to the by-line by the near corner flag to do their gentle jogging routine.
13:38
13:38Torquay United players start running out - and the Fleet fans boo.
13:36
The rest of the Fleet players, meanwhile, jog out onto the hallowed turf, to excellent support from their faithful behind that goal, and all around us. Notice that Torquay United fans have NOT sold any tickets for the highest tier to our left, whilst the Fleet supporters have.
13:34
Lance Cronin, Sam Mott, Ron Hillyard and Ian Docker, who has played here for England Schoolboys and scored a goal at this end, come out onto the pitch to begin their warm-up routine. Mike Green, up in the third tier, towards our right, says: “The last time I felt this nervous at a game here, was when the Gills beat Wigan Athletic in the play-off’s 2000.”
13:30
JUST ONE HOUR UNTIL KICK-OFF until Kent football‘s biggest game since Gillingham were denied by a late Manchester City revival in 1999. The noise around the stadium is rising, flags (red & white) and (yellow & blue) are waving with pride.
COME ON THE FLEET - LET’S BRING THE FA TROPHY BACK TO KENT FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME
13:25
Torquay United have played at Wembley Stadium three times previously. The public address announcer welcomes both sides and personally my hairs are now standing up on the back of my neck, says Stephen McCartney.
13:20
As the big two big screens inside the stadium starts to feature the early arrivals as they take their seats, the two mascots, the Torquay Gull and the Fleet musketeer, on loan from neighbours Dartford - the only Kent side to reach this final previously back in 1974, are featured on the big screen.
Out on the pitch, meanwhile, assistant manager, Alan Kimble and PASE coach Ian Kimble, both lay out the multitude of cones, ready for the Fleet players’ to warm-up in about two games.
COME ON THE FLEET - THE WHOLE OF KENT IS BEHIND YOU - LET’S BRING THAT TROPHY BACK HOME!
13:15
Both sets of players are now back in their dressing rooms. The Fleet are using the England dressing room underneath us.
13:10
Paul Parkinson says from the press seats, where we have a screen in front of us showing the Crystal Palace-Bristol City Championship play-off semi-final at Selhurst Park, says: “The Fleet players resplendent in their new dark blue suits look very relaxed as they stand in the sun talking to friends and relatives on their mobile phones. Personally I’m still fairly calm, but you can already feel the atmosphere inside this great arena.”
Stephen McCartney, meanwhile, says “I think I’m going to cry at some stage here today. This is the most proudest day since starting to run this website in June 2003 - my biggest ever game!”
13:00
The Fleet’s players walk out onto the hallowed turf at Wembley Stadium, wearing their smart black suits - minutes after their opponents Torquay United. Both sets of players are walking around the lush playing surface, with the hot sun beaming down on them - great receptions from their supporters, looking for their friends and family and soaking up the atmosphere.
12:40
Following the emotional ten-minute walk up Wembley Way, where you feel as though the ghosts of 85-year history accompanying you, we arrived at the stadium. After receiving our media accreditation from reception, we get scanned by security before making our way into the west media lounge, where we see some familiar faces, including Charles Webster, Matt Cole, Matt Davidson from BBC Radio Kent, and Wembley winner Andy Hessenthaler, the man who guided Dover Athletic to the Ryman League Division One South title this season.
MADONNA FOLLOWS THE FLEET AT THE VENUE OF LEGNEDS
As Madonna finishes her big three at the Radio One Big Weekend back home in Maidstone (after New York and Paris) can the Fleet’s “Lucky Star” end their big three (Burton, Aldershot, Torquay) on their big weekend at Wembley.
12:30
On arrival at Wembley Park tube station, the first thing that strikes you when you exit the station and underneath the road, is the walk up Wembley Way with fans wearing mingling, wearing their club colours with pride.
12:10
Me, Stephen McCartney and Paul Parkinson, leave The Globe pub, leaving friends Mike Green, Peter Guise, Elaine and Alan Orsbourne (Ashford Town) and Neil Pilcher (Folkestone Invicta), for the 15 minute trip to the Metropolitan Line to Wembley Park. Paul Parkinson says “the nerves are starting to kick in”.
11:48
The atmosphere at The Globe is red-hot with at least 1,000 Ebbsfleet United fans enjoying the pre-match spirits.
Next update will be from Wembley Stadium.
11:15
A Torquay United fan, wearing his yellow and blue, shirt, his wife and two young children are sitting next to me here in The Globe public house, opposite Baker Street. However, inside and outside the pub are at least 100 Fleet fans.
11:10
Speak to the secretaries of Ashford Town (Eliane Orsbourne) and Folkestone Invicta (Neil Pilcher) in The Globe. Not only is this a special occasion for Ebbsfleet United fans - young and old - but for everyone involved in Kent football.
COVERAGE
We shall bring you the build up as soon as we get into the Wembley Stadium press box. Join Stephen McCartney and Paul Parkinson LIVE FROM Wembley. As it’s not every year that a Kent team play at Wembley, we will not be running LIVE UPDATES during the game, just score updates, with, hopefully, a brief match report at half-time and at the final whistle, with the usual reaction to follow over the weekend.
11:00
Still in The Globe public house and there must be at least 100 Fleet fans inside and outside. This is the meeting point for the club’s supporters and the atmosphere is building. Plenty of fans in red shirts. Not long before boss Liam Daish and skipper Paul McCarthy and the KENT HEROES walk onto the hallowed turf at Wembley Stadium.
10:30
On arrival at Baker Street make my way to The Globe public house, opposite the tube station. Already there are a handful of Fleet fans outside, enjoying the very warm weather here in central London and a few pints before the Kent club’s day of destiny.
Journey
Leave home at Tunbridge Wells at around 9am to catch the train to London Charing Cross. Whilst at the London terminal walk past a handful of expectant Fleet fans at that tubs station.
Over night
Found a red top that I haven’t worn for years in the wardrobe; suffered a nose-bleed before bed time (midnight) and after suffering from a lack of sleep and annoying my work colleagues (in central London) during the course of the week talking about today’s big match, the day is almost upon us. Wake up at 5am on Saturday morning - two hours earlier than planned - the most proudest day since starting running this website in June 2003 is here.
THE FLEET’S day of destiny has finally arrived.
At least 25,000 red-shirted members of the Kentish Football family are making the pilgrimage to the 90,000 all-seated Wembley Stadium to see Ebbsfleet United lock horns with Torquay United in the FA Carlsberg Trophy Final.
Join Stephen McCartney and Paul Parkinson here at Wembley Stadium as Liam Daish’s heroes bid to bring the Trophy to Kent for the very first time.
You can send us your views during the game - text them to us on 07979 418 360 (charged at your normal text rate) or after the match you can email us by clicking on CONTACT US. Please leave us your name, where you live, and which team you support.
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd