JAMIE’S LIVING THE DREAM!
JAMIE Tompkins didn’t have to gaze too far to envisage fulfilling his Wembley dream – all he need do was look out of his bedroom window! The Ascot United boss grew up just three miles away from the Home of English football, in Northolt, and still works just down the road at Premier League Brentford FC, as their Head of Youth Development.
But it’s his success in his ‘second job’ which will led him back to north-west London this afternoon where he will fulfil the childhood dream he never thought possible.
A fortnight after steering the Yellamen into Step 4 for the first time in their history, Tompkins now has the chance to place the tastiest of cherries on top of the sweetest of seasons – and all in his own back yard!
“To go to Wembley, as a manager, literally is a boyhood dream come true,” Tompkins told The NLP.
“Living so close, I used to go to the old Wembley quite a lot as a kid, in the 90s, watching England games, FA Cup finals, and also at the new Wembley, for cup finals and Non-League Finals Day, lots of fond memories.
“Now, to be able to lead your team out at a place steeped in such history, in front of thousands of fans, family and friends…that’s just amazing. I can’t wait to get out there.
“My players are the same, they’re like kids at Christmas. It’s been quite difficult keeping them grounded, to be honest, all we can do is prepare them properly, like we would do any other game, and give them the best chance to perform to their full potential.”
With the Combined Counties Premier North already in the bag, Tompkins can plan for Wembley with the pressure well and truly off.
Win or lose, the Yellamen are hosting a gathering immediately after the final back at their Racecourse ground for players, staff and their families to celebrate the most successful season in the club’s history.
Positivity
“Regardless of the result, it will wrap up the season perfectly and help us recognise what we have achieved this year,” Tompkins added.
“The main target at the beginning of the season was promotion and we’ve achieved that by winning the league with 102 points.
“But to win the FA Vase at Wembley as well will be the icing on the cake.
“We’ve had so many away ties to get this far; the Isle of Wight, Manchester, Devon, Sussex, Somerset. It’s been challenging but it has generated so much positivity around the place and brought us closer together as a group.
“To go on and win it would be really special for everyone, it would really put Ascot United on the map.”
With just two defeats in the league all season, confidence is naturally high in the Ascot camp, but Tompkins believes this next hurdle – like the horse fences that surround their iconic Racecourse stadium – will be their toughest yet to overcome.
However, he also believes his men have what it takes to get over the finish line.
“Newport Pagnell are the holders and have the experience of playing at Wembley so that’s a huge advantage,” he accepted.
“Massive credit to the football club and their management, to do it back-to-back is a remarkable achievement.
“We’ll prepare by trying to get the players to thrive on the atmosphere, enjoy the occasion and don’t let it pass them by. Hopefully by doing that, we can match them.”