Glossop striker ready for Wembley

Kirkham & Wesham met Lowestoft Town in the 2008 FA Vase final

Glossop striker Dave Hodges hopes victory on Sunday in the FA Vase final at Wembley can help erase their Vodkat League Premier Division upset.

North End missed out on a top three finish in the league but have the chance to put that behind them when they face Whitley Bay.

Hodges told BBC Radio Manchester: "To play at Wembley is every player's dream and it'll be a fantastic experience.

"My family and friends are coming so it'll be a great occasion."

North End normally play in front of crowds of around 200 but will be cheered on under the arch in North London by thousands of people with more than 700 already booked on a specially-commissioned train leaving Glossop on the morning of the match.

It's great for somebody at our level to get the chance to play at Wembley because I suppose there are plenty of professional players who never get to play there

Glossop striker Dave Hodges

Hodges admits supporters of the Hillmen are in for a memorable day in the capital.

"I think my mates are pretty impressed at the fact I'm set to play in a Wembley final though they're also a bit surprised too," he said.

"But it's great for somebody at our level to get the chance to play at Wembley because I suppose there are plenty of professional players who never get to play there."

The Surrey Street club have battled through nine rounds to reach the final and ensure FA prize money of £30,000 along the way with a winning pot of a further £20,000 should they emerge with the trophy.

And the club's joint top-scorer - along with Rick Bailey, he has notched 20 in all competitions this season - agrees victory would be a fitting conclusion to a long campaign.

"After starting in early September, we've played maybe a game a month or something like that in the Vase and it's been a fantastic experience," he said.

"We've been to lots of different places - we went down to Bristol in the fifth round and took maybe three or four hundred fans down there.

"So it's been a great experience for the fans, for us, for everyone connected with the club and for the place Glossop also."