Whitley Bay will become the first North East team at the new Wembley

Whitley Bay manager Ian Chandler says his side's Wembley appearance in the FA Vase represents a footballing triumph for the whole region.

Bay were 3-2 winners in their semi-final at Lowestoft Town, and Chandler says he hopes a large contingent will turn up to support them on the day.

"It's not just a Whitley Bay final, it's a North East final so everyone's welcome," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"We hope to take as many as 20,000 people - they would be welcome."

The final is a potential money-spinner for the club but Chandler insists that all the players are interested in is a visit to the famous stadium.

As a club hopefully it will be a bit of stability for the club for the next few years Bay boss Ian Chandler

"For the players the finance doesn't come into it - it's Wembley and that's all anybody dreams of," he said.

"As a club, hopefully it will be a bit of stability for the club for the next few years.

"We can build on that. We want to progress up the pyramid but it would be good to keep us level for a year or two."

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