FA VASE FINAL - WHITLEY BAY V GLOSSOP NORTH END
Date: Sunday, 10 May Kick-off: 500 BST Venue: Wembley Stadium, London

Live commentary on BBC Newcastle

By Matt Newsum

Whitley Bay manager Ian Chandler has history in the FA Vase.

In the club's last FA Vase final appearance at Villa Park in May 2002, it was Chandler's extra-time winner that clinched the trophy for the Bay at the expense of Tiptree United.

The goal remains a proud moment for the 41-year-old, who now has a unique opportunity to win the competition as a manager - this time at the hallowed Wembley venue when his side face Glossop North End in the 2009 final on Sunday.

"The Villa Park final where we won 1-0 is a lovely memory, but it is just a memory and we want to make some new memories for the fans and the players that we have this year," he told BBC Newcastle.

"Andy Gowan was the manager at the time and he'd played at Wembley a few years before that - he enjoyed the occasion but he didn't win and his big speech before the game was there's no point coming to a national final and coming away with nothing.

"I'll be saying the same to my team, it's about coming and enjoying yourself but making sure we bring the trophy home."

I hope we can get a few of the Newcastle and Sunderland fans down there Manager Ian Chandler

Reaching Wembley is a significant milestone for Whitley Bay, as they become the first North East club to appear at the venue.

And Chandler hopes to rally supporters of all clubs in region and harness their support at the national stadium on Sunday.

"It's been mentioned quite a few times, I hope we can get a few of the Newcastle and Sunderland fans down there," he said.

"Middlesbrough v Newcastle is on the Monday after our game, so hopefully the odd Newcastle fan will come down and support us, which will be much appreciated.

"It's pride for the town of Whitley Bay, but the North East is where we all live so get everybody down, I'm happy to fill the place."

While Chandler has enjoyed success before, for some of the younger players in the squad such experiences are novel.

After experiencing a handful of first-team opportunities last term, striker Darren Reay has been a useful member of the Bay side during this campaign.

And the 19-year-old is keen to the make the most of such a massive occasion at such an early stage of his career.

"It's brilliant, I'm thankful the manager has given a chance, it's the best thing that could have happened to me," he said.

"All my mates want to come, some of my mates play for Newcastle, and even they want to come and it's bigger than anything they've done.

"They've played at St James' but to play at Wembley is brilliant. If I can get on the pitch then I'll try to do my best for the club and whatever happens after that is a bonus."

As a fan of Newcastle United, Reay was just a young boy during the Magpies' FA Cup final appearances in the late nineties.

He missed out on a ticket back then which makes his current situation all the sweeter.

"I missed out a couple of times on going with Newcastle with my dad so to play at the new stadium will be amazing," he said.

"I applied for tickets with my dad because my dad and his brothers had applications and they applied for me but couldn't get me a ticket on their season tickets.

"It was hard because I was only young and wanted to go and watch Newcastle but to come to the new ground will be magnificent."

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