Colin Larkin knows what it takes to get to Wembley Stadium and has urged his Sunderland RCA team-mates to believe they can go all the way in The FA Vase.
The north-east club take on Lincolnshire-based Sleaford Town in round four on Saturday, having got this far after player-coach Larkin shook off a series of hamstring injuries to hit a hat-trick in a third-round win over Tadcaster Albion.
This season’s Final will take place at Wembley and the 33-year-old has already had a taste of walking out at the national stadium, having played in the National League play-off final for Gateshead in 2014.
Sunderland RCA v Sleaford Town
The FA Vase
Fourth Round Proper
3pm, Saturday 9 January
Meadow Park, Sunderland RCA FC
Winning club to receive £2,000
And with Sunderland having lost just once in all competitions since 5 September, Larkin says his team should believe they can march on in the competition.
“I’d like to think we can win it,” said the Irish striker.
“I have been to Wembley before with Gateshead and to play there is an unbelievable experience.
“I keep telling the lads, that year we started off bottom of the table after a few games and we ended up in the play-offs. I see a similar spirit in this group and belief can take you a long way.
“I’ve played in teams before when everyone pulls together you can achieve great things.
“That’s shown in the Vase this season, this is the furthest we have ever been, and we also had an 18-game unbeaten run so that was a nice bit of history for the club.
The FA Vase Final will take place at Wembley on Sunday 22 May
“It’s great to still be in the mix to win the Vase.”
Opponents Sleaford Town are also in unchartered territory this term, having never been beyond round three in their history.
And, having come through five consecutive away ties to get this far, legendary Greens player-turned-manager Paul Ward believes the club should take pride in their FA Vase travails.
“This is our FA Cup, so there is always a buzz around the town and the dressing room,” said Ward, who made more than 500 appearances in 20 years at Sleaford.
“I think that has been reflected in the performances and the results.
“We are a small community club, we get support from a few local businesses and our facilities have vastly improved in the last five or six years.
“We own our ground and have 10 junior clubs. We are based in a competitive region – Boston, Spalding, Holbeach, for example, play at similar levels but are in better positions off the pitch.
“So our philosophy is very much on bringing through the younger players, because of our financial situation.
“To achieve what we have is remarkable.”
