MEMORIES I’LL NEVER FORGET
JORDAN Burrow says winning the FA Trophy with Halifax in 2016 was the greatest moment of his career.
Burrow, 30, was part of the side that beat play-off winners Grimsby 1-0 on an historic day at Wembley.
The Shaymen had suffered the pain of relegation to National League North that season and were massive underdogs against a buoyant Mariners side who had beaten megabucks Forest Green Rovers under the arch just seven days earlier.
But a spectacular 25-yard lob from Scott McManus just after half-time and a resolute defensive display saw Halifax seal Trophy glory on their first-ever visit to the national stadium.
“That’s the best day of my career,” said Burrow, who scored 18 goals in 66 games for Halifax before joining today’s opponents Gateshead.
“I represented England C and making my Football League debut for Morecambe was obviously a proud moment.
“But I think that’s got to rank highest because you’re at Wembley, all your family and friends are there watching and it’s probably a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“There are much better players than me who’ve never played there so to say I’ve done it – that’s something I’ll look back on for the rest of my life.”
Reflecting on the game seven years later, Burrow – now a free agent after leaving Boston United – believes relegation worked in the club’s favour.
“I do think going down helped us in a weird way,” he added. “It meant the Trophy was like a shot at redemption – a chance for us to put a little bit of pride back into the club.
Surreal
“We’d had a horrendous start to the season but from Christmas onwards it was almost playoff form. We didn’t quite pull it round, but we wanted to show that we weren’t a relegation team. I don’t think it hurt that they’d won the play-offs either – maybe they’d had a few drinks through the week!”
As a former player for both clubs, Burrow admits he will be on the fence today. But when it comes to picking a winner, he says it will be about who handles the occasion.
“Nothing can prepare you for Wembley and the size of the pitch,” he said. “It’s absolutely massive!
“The whole experience is pretty surreal because the coach takes you underneath Wembley and you have to walk right through. Then you see the changing rooms, which are huge, and everything’s on a grander scale than you’re used to.
“At that point it’s all nerves and apprehension but when you’re out there – and any player will tell you this – it’s just another game of football. Whoever can settle into that most quickly will have a massive advantage.
“To be honest, it’s not until afterwards that you fully appreciate it because during the game you’re so focussed on the job.
“I remember (teammate) Matty Brown speaking to me on the pitch afterwards and saying ‘Make sure you soak this in’.
“I was 23 or 24 at the time and it was one of the best pieces of advice I ever got because it made me stop and really look around – at the fans, at all my family in the stand, at everyone celebrating on the pitch. I’ll never forget that feeling.”