We cried when we missed out on a Wembley Final, recalls beaten semi-finalist Tommy Warrilow

TOMMY WARRILOW says he witnessed seasoned professional players burst into tears after they suffered a heart breaking FA Vase Semi-Final exit.


Warrilow was playing for Southern League outfit Hythe Town at the time, when they suffered a heart-breaking exit to eventual winners Yeading back in 1990.

Hythe Town won the home leg 3-2 in front of the club’s record attendance of 2,147, but cruelly lost the second leg 2-0 with the crucial goal coming from a big deflection.

Warrilow, 47, now the manager of Blue Square Bet (Conference) South club Tonbridge Angels, is one of thousands of people backing Simon Halsey’s Herne Bay side over their two-legs against Northern League outfit West Auckland Town, starting with the first leg at Winch’s Field tomorrow to set up a dream Wembley Final against either Dunston UTS or Staveley Miners Welfare on Sunday 13 May.

Warrilow said: “I’m going to give Simon a call tonight.  I’m a bloke that lost a semi-final for Hythe and I know the heartbreak.   I can’t stress enough to the boys.  I know they’re going to give it their all.  I’m sure Simon is fed up of people trying to tell him what to do when you get this close.

“My thoughts are go there and give it your all.  They’ve really worked their socks of but sometimes you can win these fixtures at home if you put your chances away.

“Being a two-legged affair it’s never over, no matter what.

“It’s a fantastic achievement and being so close my thoughts are with them and have a great day out at Wembley.”

When asked what it felt like losing a FA Vase Semi-Final, thus missing out on a once-in-a-lifetime match on the hallowed Wembley turf, Warrilow said: “I was 26, I’ve seen experienced players, I had grown men, experienced pro’s, in their 30’s crying in the changing room after the game. 

“We were devastated.  We didn’t talk.  It doesn’t get through to the next day when you think about it that you could have played at Wembley.

“It’s something that’s not to be taken lightly and the boys will know that.

“We were 20 minutes away at Hythe and we went out to Yeading.  It’s not a nice place to be.

“The FA Vase is a fantastic final, it’s at Wembley.  They don’t need building up, more than what has been built up at Herne Bay.”

Warrilow, who like everyone in Kent is wishing Herne Bay luck, added: “They’re having a fantastic season.   I’m sure they’ll be looking to make the home advantage count and go all the way.”

This is Herne Bay’ss biggest ever football match at Winch’s Field – dare you miss it?

Herne Bay have provided the following match details:

Admission charges will be £8 (adults), £4 (concessions), £1 (under 12’s). 
Season Tickets do not apply for this game
People without tickets please turn up early and with the correct change
The car park will be closed to all but players, officials, visiting VIP’s and the West Auckland coach.  Please park responsibility in the roads in the area.
There will be an extra fee of £2 for entry to the railway stand payable at the gate

Visit Herne Bay’s website: www.hernebayfc.net

Herne Bay  v  West Auckland Town
The FA Carlsberg Vase Semi-Final First Leg
Saturday 24th March 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Winch’s Field, Stanley Gardens, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 5SG