By Matt Badcock
Inspiring pictures and motivational speeches from a Hollywood actor – Wealdstone got their preparation spot-on to reach the FA Trophy semi-finals last Saturday.
The National League South side went to Billericay Town's ‘Lions Den' in the quarters but weren't cowed by the artwork in the tunnel that promises them a stormy afternoon.
In fact Bobby Wilkinson's Stones showed their league status and blew the big-spending Bostik Premier side away 5-2, led by debutant Bradley Bubb's hat-trick.
And the victory was set in motion before a ball was even kicked.
“I had big photos printed on A4 and put them on the walls,” Wilkinson, who replaced Stones; legendary manager Gordon Bartlett in August after eight hugely successful years at Hungerford Town, says.
“So when you walked into the changing room, you weren't thinking about Billericay but looking at photographs of the players scoring goals, celebrating goals, the fans so you could see their passion.
Mindset
“The day before I sent them a very powerful video link of Will Smith talking about the way you've got to get up in the morning and believe. I'm into all that sort of stuff, to get the right mindset.
“The pictures were just something I felt I needed to do because I'd been to Billericay the week before, they've got a big eagle in their tunnel, the lions – I wanted our players talking about us.
“It was a real team effort on the day. I hope everyone enjoyed it. It's one of the top three games of my managerial career. My promotions are up there but this one has to be too as one of the best games I've been a part of.
“I didn't enjoy the game, I won't lie. I was nervous because I knew what it meant to everyone. When you want it that bad you can't enjoy it that much!”
The pre-match was dominated by the promise of Billericay's colourful owner/manager Glenn Tamplin that he would resign as boss if they lost.
He did – although to become assistant and then reinstated himself on Tuesday – and there was a feeling among the Stones' faithful that too much noise came out of the Blues' camp before the game and not enough credit was dished out after.
Wilkinson just wanted his side to make noise on the pitch.
Silence
“A lot of people were talking about their manager and how he would resign if they lost,” Wilkinson says. “They were talking about the semi-final in all their videos. I study all that. We went the opposite. Very quiet, kept it all in house. Silence is golden.”
As were his players, the full-time scenes with their large support showing the magnitude of a result that sent the 1985 Trophy winners into the final four for the second time in six years.
“Togetherness is key in football,” Wilkinson says. “If you all believe in the same direction then you achieve. If you've got people who don't believe, I don't want them around me. If everyone believes, you've got a chance.
“One thing you can see from the celebrations is we've got a team that believe in each other – I hope they showed that, plus the result.”
While attention turns back to their bid to gatecrash the National League South play-off places, their semi-final opponents, Brackley Town or Stockport County, will replay on Tuesday night.
Wilkinson says his management team and players will do everything in their power to be ready for the semis when they do roll around.
“We've got a chance now,” Wilkinson says. “It's crazy when I say that now we've got a chance of going to Wembley. It's a two-legged affair against Brackley but I don't look at it like that.
“You could be blown away in the first leg and then the second leg doesn't mean anything. So preparation has to be that whatever happens in the first game – now we know we're away – you've got to bring them home still in the tie.
Cautious
“We will be going to win, either at their place. We're not going to sit in just because it's away from home. You've got to be cautious, of course, in the last ten minutes if it's 0-0 or close.
“It's a lot of planning but my brilliant management team work hard and we're going to see what we can achieve here.”
Wembley's arch is a corner kick away from their Grosvenor Vale home, but both sides will know it couldn't be further away. Wilkinson says they will be games to savour and enjoy.
“We're looking forward to that challenge, they are the things we thrive on,” he says. “We all want to get to Wembley.”
*This article originally featured in The @NonLeaguePaper which is available every Sunday and Monday
