*BS*We are on the look out for volunteers to help us make our club even greater as part of our matchday experience overhaul for next season. Do you want to join our team?*BF*

We currently have opportunities available for *BS*matchday magazine sellers*BF*, *BS*contributors towards our magazine and social media channels*BF*, a *BS*club shop attendant*BF* and a *BS*PA operator*BF*.

If you are keen to help out your club and have a couple of hours to spare on a matchday, then we are keen to hear from you – in return, you will become an integral part of our matchday operations and assist us in providing an excellent service to both home and away supporters.

Details for all of our current positions can be found at the below link.

*Link1*

*BS*We are on the look out for volunteers to help us make our club even greater as part of our matchday experience overhaul for next season. Do you want to join our team?*BF*

We currently have opportunities available for *BS*matchday magazine sellers*BF*, *BS*contributors towards our magazine and social media channels*BF*, a *BS*club shop attendant*BF* and a *BS*PA operator*BF*.

If you are keen to help out your club and have a couple of hours to spare on a matchday, then we are keen to hear from you – in return, you will become an integral part of our matchday operations and assist us in providing an excellent service to both home and away supporters.

Details for all of our current positions can be found at the below link.

*Link1*

*BS*Last month, Dover Athletic Football Club released the exciting news that our kit for the 2015/16 season will be supplied by Genesis Sports and PUMA branded – and after our successful *IS*#LeKit*IF* campaign over the past few weeks, the moment you have all been waiting for is now here.*BF*

The kits – designed to add that extra *IS*va va voom*IF* to the side as we look to build on our first season back in the top flight of non-league football – have taken inspiration from our cross-Channel neighbours. PUMA really *IS*know their onions*IF* when it comes to football, and we are delighted to have reached this agreement to provide our side with three stunning kits.

Whites will travel over 4,000 miles to complete league fixtures alone this season – you could drive from Crabble to the South of France five times and still cover less ground. On April Fool’s Day, the BBC ran a story about the club planning an application to join the French league – and whilst that was quickly laughed off, today’s tricolor-inspired kit release represents *IS*ferry*IF* good news for Whites fans.

Or should that be *IS*Blancs*IF* fans..?

*BS*FIRING BLANCS!*BF*
*IS*Tricolor blanc: Equality; The state of being equal, especially in status, rights or opportunities.*IF*
Fear not, the colours that adorn the side at Crabble remain our traditional white and black. A white shirt will be accompanied by black shorts and black socks.

*BS*SACRE BLEU!*BF*
*IS*Tricolor bleu: Liberty; A right or privilege.*IF*
In a change to last season, our away shirt for the upcoming campaign will now be blue. This will be worn with white shorts (with a blue trim) and white socks.

*BS*A HUGE IMP-ROUGE-MENT!*BF*
*IS*Tricolor rouge: Fraternity; A group of people sharing a common profession or interests.*IF*
In another change, the club’s third kit has also had a revamp. Red shirts will be matched with black shorts and black socks to complete the full set.

Whites’ Chairman Jim Parmenter commented: “We’ve revisited our kit supply strategy several times over the past few years, but we believe we have finally found a kit partner capable of delivering high quality kit and sportswear for the club and its supporters, in a timely and professional manner.”

Alan Scott of Genesis Sports said: “Dover Athletic FC has had a great first season back in the Football Conference National. With exciting plans both on and off the pitch, we’re delighted the club has given us the opportunity to supply their kit and training wear for next season’s campaign in the National Football League, as it will be known. PUMA recognise the importance of the non-league game and to have Dover Athletic as one of our first partner clubs is a massive boost to our new venture.”

The new kits have been produced for the first team and all shirts will be available as replicas to purchase via the club shop at www.dafcdirect.com. The kit will also be worn by our Academy side and will be available to all of our youth and community teams.

*IS*So, on three.. there’ll be bleubirds over the blanc cliffs of Dover..*IF*

*BS*Last month, Dover Athletic Football Club released the exciting news that our kit for the 2015/16 season will be supplied by Genesis Sports and PUMA branded – and after our successful *IS*#LeKit*IF* campaign over the past few weeks, the moment you have all been waiting for is now here.*BF*

The kits – designed to add that extra *IS*va va voom*IF* to the side as we look to build on our first season back in the top flight of non-league football – have taken inspiration from our cross-Channel neighbours. PUMA really *IS*know their onions*IF* when it comes to football, and we are delighted to have reached this agreement to provide our side with three stunning kits.

Whites will travel over 4,000 miles to complete league fixtures alone this season – you could drive from Crabble to the South of France five times and still cover less ground. On April Fool’s Day, the BBC ran a story about the club planning an application to join the French league – and whilst that was quickly laughed off, today’s tricolor-inspired kit release represents *IS*ferry*IF* good news for Whites fans.

Or should that be *IS*Blancs*IF* fans..?

*BS*FIRING BLANCS!*BF*
*IS*Tricolor blanc: Equality; The state of being equal, especially in status, rights or opportunities.*IF*
Fear not, the colours that adorn the side at Crabble remain our traditional white and black. A white shirt will be accompanied by black shorts and black socks.

*BS*SACRE BLEU!*BF*
*IS*Tricolor bleu: Liberty; A right or privilege.*IF*
In a change to last season, our away shirt for the upcoming campaign will now be blue. This will be worn with white shorts (with a blue trim) and white socks.

*BS*A HUGE IMP-ROUGE-MENT!*BF*
*IS*Tricolor rouge: Fraternity; A group of people sharing a common profession or interests.*IF*
In another change, the club’s third kit has also had a revamp. Red shirts will be matched with black shorts and black socks to complete the full set.

Whites’ Chairman Jim Parmenter commented: “We’ve revisited our kit supply strategy several times over the past few years, but we believe we have finally found a kit partner capable of delivering high quality kit and sportswear for the club and its supporters, in a timely and professional manner.”

Alan Scott of Genesis Sports said: “Dover Athletic FC has had a great first season back in the Football Conference National. With exciting plans both on and off the pitch, we’re delighted the club has given us the opportunity to supply their kit and training wear for next season’s campaign in the National Football League, as it will be known. PUMA recognise the importance of the non-league game and to have Dover Athletic as one of our first partner clubs is a massive boost to our new venture.”

The new kits have been produced for the first team and all shirts will be available as replicas to purchase via the club shop at www.dafcdirect.com. The kit will also be worn by our Academy side and will be available to all of our youth and community teams.

*IS*So, on three.. there’ll be bleubirds over the blanc cliffs of Dover..*IF*

*BS*The official rebranding of the top tier of English non-league football as The National League is now effective.*BF*

The Parent Company, formerly known as The Football Conference Ltd, will officially enact the name change at its Congress weekend on Saturday June 6th 2015 at Celtic Manor, Newport.

Its three Divisions are henceforth officially entitled the:
*BS*Vanarama National League
Vanarama National League North
Vanarama National League South.*BF*

Brian Barwick, Chairman of The National League said: “As the incoming Chairman of the Vanarama National League, I am pleased to welcome the new name in the full knowledge that it will be coupled with existing values and strengths of the competition that have been in existence for over 35 years. It is an exciting time to take over as Chairman and I look forward to the new season.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the person who I am succeeding; as a fellow Brian, I know it will be a tough act to follow Brian Lee who has enjoyed the respect of the game for many years.”

Competition Title Sponsor Vanarama, who last month announced a sponsorship extension and further financial support, employed sports marketing agency SportQuake to facilitate the name change and logo design. SportQuake specialise in creating world class two-way partnerships between rights owners and brands.

Managing Director of Vanarama Andy Alderson said: “Vanarama is proud to support the highest level of English non-league football. Re-branding as the Vanarama National League will increase the spotlight as the action kicks off again on 8th August. Next season, we’re thrilled to also support the pioneering NLTV Broadcasting Academy which will provide opportunities and equipment to media students.”

*BS*The official rebranding of the top tier of English non-league football as The National League is now effective.*BF*

The Parent Company, formerly known as The Football Conference Ltd, will officially enact the name change at its Congress weekend on Saturday June 6th 2015 at Celtic Manor, Newport.

Its three Divisions are henceforth officially entitled the:
*BS*Vanarama National League
Vanarama National League North
Vanarama National League South.*BF*

Brian Barwick, Chairman of The National League said: “As the incoming Chairman of the Vanarama National League, I am pleased to welcome the new name in the full knowledge that it will be coupled with existing values and strengths of the competition that have been in existence for over 35 years. It is an exciting time to take over as Chairman and I look forward to the new season.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the person who I am succeeding; as a fellow Brian, I know it will be a tough act to follow Brian Lee who has enjoyed the respect of the game for many years.”

Competition Title Sponsor Vanarama, who last month announced a sponsorship extension and further financial support, employed sports marketing agency SportQuake to facilitate the name change and logo design. SportQuake specialise in creating world class two-way partnerships between rights owners and brands.

Managing Director of Vanarama Andy Alderson said: “Vanarama is proud to support the highest level of English non-league football. Re-branding as the Vanarama National League will increase the spotlight as the action kicks off again on 8th August. Next season, we’re thrilled to also support the pioneering NLTV Broadcasting Academy which will provide opportunities and equipment to media students.”

*BS*Club photographer Simon Harris was recently selected to appear in the Fans Choir at last weekend’s FA Cup final. Here, he writes exclusively for doverathletic.com on what was a very memorable day for him and a proud moment for the club..*BF*

I really can’t remember how it started. Thinking back, it might have been turning the TV on early for the BBC news and catching the end of ‘Songs of Praise’. It might have been something on the BBC Sport website.

Whatever it was, there was this invitation for the chance for one fan representing each of the 64 clubs that reached the 3rd Round of the FA Cup to be on the pitch at Wembley on FA Cup Final day, singing Abide With Me.. and it specifically said that you didn’t need to be able to sing!!!

It’s probably as well to point out really early on that my singing ability is nil.. or possibly less. I remember being around a dining table with a group of friends late one night (maybe early one morning?) all singing along to some classic songs, when our host stopped singing. “Why have you stopped?” was asked. The answer was “I never realised that anyone could sing as flat as Simon does”. Just so we’re clear.

Anyway, the process was simple enough. On the Songs Of Praise website, there was an application form to be filled in before early March. Usual sort of details stuff and then write a story in up to 300 words saying what the FA Cup means to you. Well, we all know what the Great British media is like: If you’ve got a human interest story, you’re in with a shout of winning Britain’s Got Talent or The X Factor. Surely I’ve got to be in with a chance of getting selected.

I only applied in hope, really, and then forgot about it. Any football fan dreams of walking out on to the Wembley pitch on Cup Final day, and Abide With Me is part of the tradition that makes English football the best in the world.

So, a few weeks later, sometime during March, I’m sitting at my desk at work when my mobile phone rings. It’s a lady from the BBC. “You’ve been put on the shortlist, can we check a few details, please?” Various questions, most of which had been answered on the application. Then, “Do you have any disabilities?”, “Yes, I can’t sing”. She just laughed and said that it didn’t matter – well, they can’t say I didn’t give them a chance. She finished by saying that if I hadn’t heard by the beginning of April, then I hadn’t been selected. Well, at least I made the shortlist, eh?

March 30th. Another phone call. I’ve been selected. We’ll email you more details. Congratulations. Over the moon and plenty of other clichés! Excited, amazed. Just can’t believe it.

A couple of weeks before the day more details. Need to be at Wembley on the Friday afternoon. They’ll put us all up in a hotel on Friday night, and again on Saturday night if we want. We’ll be rehearsing Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. We’ll each get a ticket for the game, but no, there aren’t any spares.
*Lpic1*
Friday 29th May. 2pm. Wembley Stadium. 64 football fans are waiting outside the staff entrance. Quick ‘briefing’ saying what was about to happen outside, then taken inside to check through security. Leave your overnight bag in one of the Wembley dressing rooms – not one of the main ones, just one of the minor ones dotted around the complex and then into the Press Media Room that we’ll be using for the next 24 hours or so.

We’ve all been allocated seats basically in exactly the same format as we’ll be lining up as a choir. A few more details from the people from the BBC and the guy running it from Wembley’s point of view. A special mention for Jim representing Newcastle, who celebrated his 100th birthday recently. Everything happening at Wembley tomorrow has got specific timing set to it, so we need to make sure that we all keep to what we’re told, but above all, enjoy yourselves.

Then it’s the conductor, Steve Thompson, to take us through a first rehearsal still inside the room. Start with some breathing exercises, then just la-la-la through the song. Then “Who knows the words?” Well, some of them – I’d tried, but the saying ‘you can’t teach on old dog new tricks’ comes to mind. I’d got the first verse, some of the second verse, but not necessarily in the right order. I wasn’t the only one.

Out on to the pitch for a rehearsal. Wembley is spookily quiet when it’s virtually empty. Well, I say on to the pitch, but actually, we have to stay by the side of the pitch on the astroturf, because no-one is allowed to set foot on the pitch unless absolutely necessary, but we’re all lined up in our specific order.

We’re thinking the order may have been decided by how far your club reached in the Cup, so representing Dover Athletic (3rd round losers at home by 4-0) I’m between Harry from Brentford (lost 2-0 at home) and Paul from Rotherham (lost 5-1 at home).

It occurs to me that the vast majority of these clubs actually didn’t need to do anything to get this opportunity as they got to the 3rd round automatically. The Mighty Whites had to win through three ties to give me this chance.

Back to the room again – guess someone else is using the outside. More rehearsing – I’m getting more used to the words – and finally for today we get a motivational speaker come in to tell us how we should try not to be nervous and channel the feelings more to enjoying the occasion and trying to take it all in. Then we’re told that the plan is that the England Manager, Roy Hodgson, will be coming to see us tomorrow and we’re given fish and chips before getting on the coach back to the hotel.

I don’t know what it is about football supporters, but it was quite amazing just how soon after being dropped off and collecting our keys that people were appearing in the bar! I know this because I was one of the first. Of course, we’re all going to be very sensible, aren’t we, because we’ve got an important day tomorrow and the coach is leaving at 8 am. Yeah, right! I suddenly realised it’s half past midnight, and I need some sleep. I think I left most of them still there.

Saturday morning and a full buffet breakfast before getting on the bus. Someone’s overslept, so has to be chased up, but we’re still on our way in time to get to Wembley shortly before 9. Aled Jones is there, saying hello to us all, and then we’ve got to get out onto pitchside, as BBC Breakfast wants to include a rehearsal in their programme. Mike Bushell is rushing a bit as he points out the Sunderland supporter – trouble is, he was guessing by the SUFC badge on their red and white striped shirt. Rachel from Sheffield United isn’t terribly impressed.

Back to the room again. Alfie Boe has arrived and is signing things, chatting to people and having his photo taken with them, until one of the BBC producers decides that he needs to be somewhere else. He has a quick photo done with all of us, before he goes. More rehearsals in the room, then back onto pitchside to rehearse some more. Armies of groundsmen are mowing the grass, so it’s not easy to hear things above the sound of their mowers, going back and forth, over and over again.

Lasagne for lunch. Everyone’s getting a bit more excited now as we count down the hours. Only another 5 hours and our two minutes of fame will be over. Then it’s pitchside again to rehearse with Alfie Boe and the band of The Brigade of Gurkhas. To be honest, we’d started thinking we were sounding pretty good, beginning to believe that we doing alright. Then we heard Alfie join in. Ah, so that’s how it’s supposed to be done.

Back in the room and we’re told that we need to make sure that we get off the pitch quickly after singing, but it’s absolutely fine to wave to the crowd, as they’ll be cheering us off. Yeah, course they will!!??

We’re told that Roy Hodgson will be coming in to speak to us in a few minutes. Fifteen minutes later, lots of apologies, but Roy’s got held up and he’s not going to make it. But then suddenly he’s on his way after all and he arrives. Aled asks him how he would motivate a team about to go out and perform at Wembley. Again, it’s really just try to enjoy the occasion and take it all in.

Time’s getting on. It’s past 4pm and there’s only about an hour to go before we’re on. There’s a pack of food for us all, with a sandwich, drink and stuff. Think I’ll save mine for afterwards.
*Lpic2*
Out into the corridor to line up again. The team mascots are all out there, too, and we’re high-fiving them as we go past. Wait in the corridor. Then wait in the North-West tunnel. Then we’re moving out into the Wembley sunshine.

You’ve heard talk of the deafening roar of Wembley. You just cannot believe what it’s like. I don’t have the words to describe the experience, but be assured that it’s like nothing else.

Just before we start, both sets of supporters are singing their hearts out in support of their own teams, but as soon as Abide With Me is announced, and the music starts up, everyone in the ground is singing the same song. We do the song, and I think I’ve got the words pretty well nailed at last. Probably helps that they’re being shown on the boards running round the stadium, so that 89,283 backing singers can join in with us.

Then it’s all over and we’re leaving the pitch. The guys from the BBC knew what they were talking about, as everyone in the crowd is waving and pointing and cheering us off.

Then we’re back in the North-West tunnel and the adrenaline is racing. We’re all hugging and smiling and laughing. We’re all congratulating each other and are all on a fantastic natural high. Back to the room to pick up our stuff. We need to get everything cleared out of there, as it will be needed after the game for the media interviews. Then we’re given our tickets and a programme and taken to our seats. Somehow, I’m in my seat watching the game only 4 minutes after kick-off. At half-time, I’m talking to Paul from Rotherham and he reckons he’s only just coming down from the experience.

I’m on the train back to Sevenoaks after the game, and sitting opposite me are a family bedecked in their Arsenal gear. It turns out that the boy was one of the mascots – he was with Mesut Ozil – and he was one of the ones we high-fived in the Wembley corridor. Small world isn’t it?

Okay, the game was a bit of an anti-climax, but I’d have to say that the 2015 FA Cup Final at Wembley is going to stay with me until my dying day. Just think, if it wasn’t for the fantastic efforts and achievements of those amazing Boys in White, together with the management and staff of our wonderful little club, I wouldn’t have had that experience.

I can never thank anybody enough.

*BS*Club photographer Simon Harris was recently selected to appear in the Fans Choir at last weekend’s FA Cup final. Here, he writes exclusively for doverathletic.com on what was a very memorable day for him and a proud moment for the club..*BF*

I really can’t remember how it started. Thinking back, it might have been turning the TV on early for the BBC news and catching the end of ‘Songs of Praise’. It might have been something on the BBC Sport website.

Whatever it was, there was this invitation for the chance for one fan representing each of the 64 clubs that reached the 3rd Round of the FA Cup to be on the pitch at Wembley on FA Cup Final day, singing Abide With Me.. and it specifically said that you didn’t need to be able to sing!!!

It’s probably as well to point out really early on that my singing ability is nil.. or possibly less. I remember being around a dining table with a group of friends late one night (maybe early one morning?) all singing along to some classic songs, when our host stopped singing. “Why have you stopped?” was asked. The answer was “I never realised that anyone could sing as flat as Simon does”. Just so we’re clear.

Anyway, the process was simple enough. On the Songs Of Praise website, there was an application form to be filled in before early March. Usual sort of details stuff and then write a story in up to 300 words saying what the FA Cup means to you. Well, we all know what the Great British media is like: If you’ve got a human interest story, you’re in with a shout of winning Britain’s Got Talent or The X Factor. Surely I’ve got to be in with a chance of getting selected.

I only applied in hope, really, and then forgot about it. Any football fan dreams of walking out on to the Wembley pitch on Cup Final day, and Abide With Me is part of the tradition that makes English football the best in the world.

So, a few weeks later, sometime during March, I’m sitting at my desk at work when my mobile phone rings. It’s a lady from the BBC. “You’ve been put on the shortlist, can we check a few details, please?” Various questions, most of which had been answered on the application. Then, “Do you have any disabilities?”, “Yes, I can’t sing”. She just laughed and said that it didn’t matter – well, they can’t say I didn’t give them a chance. She finished by saying that if I hadn’t heard by the beginning of April, then I hadn’t been selected. Well, at least I made the shortlist, eh?

March 30th. Another phone call. I’ve been selected. We’ll email you more details. Congratulations. Over the moon and plenty of other clichés! Excited, amazed. Just can’t believe it.

A couple of weeks before the day more details. Need to be at Wembley on the Friday afternoon. They’ll put us all up in a hotel on Friday night, and again on Saturday night if we want. We’ll be rehearsing Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. We’ll each get a ticket for the game, but no, there aren’t any spares.
*Lpic1*
Friday 29th May. 2pm. Wembley Stadium. 64 football fans are waiting outside the staff entrance. Quick ‘briefing’ saying what was about to happen outside, then taken inside to check through security. Leave your overnight bag in one of the Wembley dressing rooms – not one of the main ones, just one of the minor ones dotted around the complex and then into the Press Media Room that we’ll be using for the next 24 hours or so.

We’ve all been allocated seats basically in exactly the same format as we’ll be lining up as a choir. A few more details from the people from the BBC and the guy running it from Wembley’s point of view. A special mention for Jim representing Newcastle, who celebrated his 100th birthday recently. Everything happening at Wembley tomorrow has got specific timing set to it, so we need to make sure that we all keep to what we’re told, but above all, enjoy yourselves.

Then it’s the conductor, Steve Thompson, to take us through a first rehearsal still inside the room. Start with some breathing exercises, then just la-la-la through the song. Then “Who knows the words?” Well, some of them – I’d tried, but the saying ‘you can’t teach on old dog new tricks’ comes to mind. I’d got the first verse, some of the second verse, but not necessarily in the right order. I wasn’t the only one.

Out on to the pitch for a rehearsal. Wembley is spookily quiet when it’s virtually empty. Well, I say on to the pitch, but actually, we have to stay by the side of the pitch on the astroturf, because no-one is allowed to set foot on the pitch unless absolutely necessary, but we’re all lined up in our specific order.

We’re thinking the order may have been decided by how far your club reached in the Cup, so representing Dover Athletic (3rd round losers at home by 4-0) I’m between Harry from Brentford (lost 2-0 at home) and Paul from Rotherham (lost 5-1 at home).

It occurs to me that the vast majority of these clubs actually didn’t need to do anything to get this opportunity as they got to the 3rd round automatically. The Mighty Whites had to win through three ties to give me this chance.

Back to the room again – guess someone else is using the outside. More rehearsing – I’m getting more used to the words – and finally for today we get a motivational speaker come in to tell us how we should try not to be nervous and channel the feelings more to enjoying the occasion and trying to take it all in. Then we’re told that the plan is that the England Manager, Roy Hodgson, will be coming to see us tomorrow and we’re given fish and chips before getting on the coach back to the hotel.

I don’t know what it is about football supporters, but it was quite amazing just how soon after being dropped off and collecting our keys that people were appearing in the bar! I know this because I was one of the first. Of course, we’re all going to be very sensible, aren’t we, because we’ve got an important day tomorrow and the coach is leaving at 8 am. Yeah, right! I suddenly realised it’s half past midnight, and I need some sleep. I think I left most of them still there.

Saturday morning and a full buffet breakfast before getting on the bus. Someone’s overslept, so has to be chased up, but we’re still on our way in time to get to Wembley shortly before 9. Aled Jones is there, saying hello to us all, and then we’ve got to get out onto pitchside, as BBC Breakfast wants to include a rehearsal in their programme. Mike Bushell is rushing a bit as he points out the Sunderland supporter – trouble is, he was guessing by the SUFC badge on their red and white striped shirt. Rachel from Sheffield United isn’t terribly impressed.

Back to the room again. Alfie Boe has arrived and is signing things, chatting to people and having his photo taken with them, until one of the BBC producers decides that he needs to be somewhere else. He has a quick photo done with all of us, before he goes. More rehearsals in the room, then back onto pitchside to rehearse some more. Armies of groundsmen are mowing the grass, so it’s not easy to hear things above the sound of their mowers, going back and forth, over and over again.

Lasagne for lunch. Everyone’s getting a bit more excited now as we count down the hours. Only another 5 hours and our two minutes of fame will be over. Then it’s pitchside again to rehearse with Alfie Boe and the band of The Brigade of Gurkhas. To be honest, we’d started thinking we were sounding pretty good, beginning to believe that we doing alright. Then we heard Alfie join in. Ah, so that’s how it’s supposed to be done.

Back in the room and we’re told that we need to make sure that we get off the pitch quickly after singing, but it’s absolutely fine to wave to the crowd, as they’ll be cheering us off. Yeah, course they will!!??

We’re told that Roy Hodgson will be coming in to speak to us in a few minutes. Fifteen minutes later, lots of apologies, but Roy’s got held up and he’s not going to make it. But then suddenly he’s on his way after all and he arrives. Aled asks him how he would motivate a team about to go out and perform at Wembley. Again, it’s really just try to enjoy the occasion and take it all in.

Time’s getting on. It’s past 4pm and there’s only about an hour to go before we’re on. There’s a pack of food for us all, with a sandwich, drink and stuff. Think I’ll save mine for afterwards.
*Lpic2*
Out into the corridor to line up again. The team mascots are all out there, too, and we’re high-fiving them as we go past. Wait in the corridor. Then wait in the North-West tunnel. Then we’re moving out into the Wembley sunshine.

You’ve heard talk of the deafening roar of Wembley. You just cannot believe what it’s like. I don’t have the words to describe the experience, but be assured that it’s like nothing else.

Just before we start, both sets of supporters are singing their hearts out in support of their own teams, but as soon as Abide With Me is announced, and the music starts up, everyone in the ground is singing the same song. We do the song, and I think I’ve got the words pretty well nailed at last. Probably helps that they’re being shown on the boards running round the stadium, so that 89,283 backing singers can join in with us.

Then it’s all over and we’re leaving the pitch. The guys from the BBC knew what they were talking about, as everyone in the crowd is waving and pointing and cheering us off.

Then we’re back in the North-West tunnel and the adrenaline is racing. We’re all hugging and smiling and laughing. We’re all congratulating each other and are all on a fantastic natural high. Back to the room to pick up our stuff. We need to get everything cleared out of there, as it will be needed after the game for the media interviews. Then we’re given our tickets and a programme and taken to our seats. Somehow, I’m in my seat watching the game only 4 minutes after kick-off. At half-time, I’m talking to Paul from Rotherham and he reckons he’s only just coming down from the experience.

I’m on the train back to Sevenoaks after the game, and sitting opposite me are a family bedecked in their Arsenal gear. It turns out that the boy was one of the mascots – he was with Mesut Ozil – and he was one of the ones we high-fived in the Wembley corridor. Small world isn’t it?

Okay, the game was a bit of an anti-climax, but I’d have to say that the 2015 FA Cup Final at Wembley is going to stay with me until my dying day. Just think, if it wasn’t for the fantastic efforts and achievements of those amazing Boys in White, together with the management and staff of our wonderful little club, I wouldn’t have had that experience.

I can never thank anybody enough.

*BS*The club are looking for suggestions from supporters regarding our matchday music – what would you like to hear at Crabble?*BF*

We are freshening up our matchday experience for next season, and part of this will include overhauling our current playlists – both for the pre-match build-up and for when the sides take the field.

If you have any songs that you’d like to hear in particular, then let us know – maybe you want to hear more old classics, more modern music or a mixture of both – please do get in touch.

Suggestions should be e-mailed through to [email protected] and these will be compiled and our new playlist finalised prior to the season starting.

*BS*The club are looking for suggestions from supporters regarding our matchday music – what would you like to hear at Crabble?*BF*

We are freshening up our matchday experience for next season, and part of this will include overhauling our current playlists – both for the pre-match build-up and for when the sides take the field.

If you have any songs that you’d like to hear in particular, then let us know – maybe you want to hear more old classics, more modern music or a mixture of both – please do get in touch.

Suggestions should be e-mailed through to [email protected] and these will be compiled and our new playlist finalised prior to the season starting.