N. GREENFORD UTD ROMFORD
IT’S pretty much impossible for North Greenford United not to dream of Wembley – they can see the famous arch from their stadium.
The Combined Counties Premier North high-fliers are located just three miles from the home of football but have never been closer to actually stepping into the shadows.
The Blues have won five matches – the last two on penalties – to reach the last eight of the Isuzu FA Vase for the first time in their history, and are now setting their sights on gracing the hallowed turf and giving the locals a day they will never forget.
Each year, the Isuzu FA Vase is ladened with feelgood tales of close-knit football clubs, but North Greenford United are as tight as they come.
Chairman Paul Mills is also the co-manager, alongside his brother-in-law Gary Brown, with wives Vicky Mills and Sue Brown sitting on the committee.
Both couples also two sons who play in the first team; Joe and Tommy Mills teaming up
CHAIRMAN Steve Gardener admits Romford may be dreaming of a day out at Wembley – but they’re not about to go suit shopping just yet!
The Essex Senior League Blues are enjoying their best ever run in the competition since reforming in 1992.
They have beaten Crawley Green, Mildenhall Town, Stanway Pegasus and Hilltop FC to set up a quarter-final against North Greenwood, but Gardener knows not to take anything for granted.
“Everyone dreams of a day out Wembley, the closer you get the more you dare yourself to dream,” he told The NLP. “You potentially have three more games, the North Greenwood game, and a semi-final across two leg against another team who have progressed, so nobody is out suit shopping at the moment or anything.
“The team have played really well to get here, it’s the first time we’ve been in the quarter-final for longer than anyone can remember.
“It’s the best that the club have done since we reformed in 1992, and yes we’re very excited although we know it’s going to be a tough game because North Greenwood have done really well to get where they are.
“I don’t think we’ve come across North Greenwood. But anyone who reaches the quarter-final will be playing well with Georgie and Sam Brown. It’s a family fairytale that not even the of Vase scripters couldn’t have written.
“It’s just a nice little club, everyone just mucks in,” Gary Brown told The NLP. “Paul and I help the groundsman, wash the kit, and the wives work on the bar and kitchen. We do everything ourselves.”
It is perhaps this humble set-up which affirms the Blues as rank outsiders in the Vase this year – but that’s just the way Brown likes it!
“We are underdogs every time we play,” he added. “We’re outsiders in this competition, but we like that, we thrive on it.
“We like to let everyone think we are not very good because then there’s no pressure on us. Then, tiny little North Greenford will come and surprise you.
“Wembley is a pipedream, and of course the players are talking about it, but until it actually happens you have to just keep doing what you are doing and stay grounded, which we are.” at the moment so it’s not about league position on the day.
It’s about that one game of 90 minutes.
“It can be small margins, it can be an error, an incredible goal, they’re all variables, because it’s a knockout competition. That’s the excitement, who’s best over that 90 minutes.”
Whatever happens, Steve Butterworth’s Blues are well equipped for the trip across London – and will have plenty of backing.
“We’ve got a coach going to North Greenford, we’ll take about 70 fans – 80 per cent of our home support,” Gardener said. “I’m hoping North Greenford get a good crowd and it’s a good atmosphere, I’m sure it’ll be a good game with no holds barred, both sides giving everything and wanting to go through.
“There are some very good teams left; Worcester City, Falmouth, and we know Great Wakering Rovers from our own league, they’re playing very well at the moment.”