FORMER Premier League star Tommy Widdrington celebrated triumph at Wembley as his Aldershot Town side beat Spennymoor 3-0 in the FA Trophy final.
Widdrington, 53, said there was “not a prouder person in the stadium” after three second-half goals from Jack Barham, Dan Ellison and Josh Barrett saw them secure victory.
The ex-Southampton ace recovered from two strokes suffered at the end of last year to stand at the home of football and lift the Cup with the National League outfit, winning their first trophy since 2008.
Widdrington told BBC Sport: “There is not a prouder person in this stadium, I’m very appreciative of the support I’ve had during my health problems and the people of Aldershot have been incredible.
“To finish the year I had with this moment is great, this final is the best of the teams outside the top four divisions, it’s no mean feat to win this.
“I’m made up for the lads and Wembley is about winning, if you don’t win it then it has to be the worst feeling in the world, the players have their names in the history books of the club, I’m delighted.”
Goalscorer Barrett added to the broadcaster that the team would “party hard” and reserved special praise to the manager and the fans.
He called on the owners to back Widdrington with some money to make them “a League Two team in no time”.
The 26-year-old said: “It’s crazy, I can’t believe these scenes.
“We didn’t really execute the game plan in the first half but in the second half we dominated, that finish was one I knew was coming, I always try things and that’s who I am.
“The fans deserve this, give our manager some money and we will be a League Two team in no time, let’s hope we can get back up that table next season.
“I’ve loved every minutes of being here, the fans have accepted me and we’re going to party tonight, party hard!”
Aldershot finished 16th in the National League this season.
Meanwhile, Whitstable Town came from behind to beat AFC Whyteleafe 2-1 in the FA Vase earlier on.
It was the Southern Counties side’s first ever time winning the trophy, with their previous best run in the competition being the fifth round in the 1996-97 season.
Read the full article here