TOOLSTATION CUP RUN OF THE YEAR – NORTH FERRIBY UNITED
FROM the euphoria of their Wembley win to uncertainty surrounding the club's future just weeks later – it's been quite the season for Vanarama North side North Ferriby United.
Fortunately, their prospects now look brighter with most of their FA Trophy-winning squad signing up for next season.
And what a Trophy victory it was. Granted, their journey to the famous arch was kind, avoiding teams from Non-League's top tier until they faced Wrexham in the final.
Boston United, Hyde, Farnborough, Ebbsfleet and Bath – on penalties in the semi-final – were dispatched to secure a trip to Wembley.
Down 2-0 with an hour played, it looked like Ferriby's fairytale ending was slipping away. But then they showed exactly why they made it all the way.
Liam King netted a superb penalty before substitute Ryan Kendall equalised and then put the Villagers ahead in extra time.
Wrexham may have forced penalties but you always felt Billy Heath's men weren't going to let it slip. And so it transpired. The club from the tiny East Yorkshire village of 4,000 inhabitants had announced themselves on the national stage at the national stadium.
So it was little surprise that they picked up the Toolstation Cup Run of the Year award – although history was against them!
Press officer Phil Withers, who picked up the award alongside secretary Richard Watts, said: “Given our cup history over the years, winning an award for Cup Run of the Year at the start of the season always seemed totally out of the question.
“Apart from the odd season, our cup form has been absolutely dreadful over the years, so this season we have totally surpassed ourselves!
“It was an absolutely amazing feeling to walk into Wembley and think ‘we're actually playing here'.
“I'm only a minor part of it, it's all about the players, but as a club official it's your dream as well. There were tears of joy once we won it, it was absolutely fantastic – I can't say enough about the players and the manager.”
