Byron Mason can't wait to lead his team-mates out at Wembley Stadium on Saturday and says it will be a "special" day for his family and for the club.
The Sholing captain has helped guide the Wessex League Premier Division champions to The FA Carlsberg Vase Final this weekend where they will meet West Auckland Town.
And while he has his brother Barry in the team, he admits the whole Sholing squad feels like one big happy family.
Sholing v West Auckland Town
The FA Carlsberg Vase
The Final
Saturday 10 May 2014
Wembley Stadium connected by EE
Tickets: www.TheFA.com/tickets
"It’s going to be massive, everyone says they want to get to Wembley when The Vase starts but you know deep down that only a few ever get the chance to do it," says Mason.
"As the rounds went on and the field got smaller, we did start thinking to ourselves, ‘hang on we’ve got a real chance here if we get a few good draws’ – now here we are.
"I can’t really believe it’s going to happen. When I was a youngster I didn’t really know what The FA Vase was all about but the longer you’re around you just realise what a special competition it is.
"To get to The Final is unbelievable and for me to walk out as captain will just be incredible."
He continued: "My mum is over the moon because she gets to see two of her sons play at Wembley Stadium, so it’s going to be a special afternoon. It’s something we’ll talk about for years."
Sholing Manager Dave Diaper holds The FA Vase with captain Byron Mason (left) and son Marc
Mason is also close to manager Dave Diaper and is able to call him boss both on and off the pitch. And he says the relationship helps foster a true team spirit.
"Five of the first team work for him as electricians, so we see him almost every day," he revealed.
"My brother used to work for him as well, so there used to be six! He’s great, though, and I think that’s definitely one of the reasons why we’re such a close-knit group.
"We’re not just turning up on a Saturday or a Tuesday night and seeing each other, we’re together all the time."
And they'll be very much together under the Arch this weekend.
You can read the full interview with Byron in the official matchday programme. Tickets are still available for the game, click here to get yours...
