Trophy trail starts with familiar face

Warrington’s FA Trophy clash with Leek Town tomorrow has thrown up a strange coincidence that’ll will get Non-League’s stats gurus buzzing.

When the Evo-Stik NPL First Division South and First Division North clubs were drawn together in the Preliminary Round it emerged that the Wire’s current Secretary Chris Henshall is none other than the linesman for the Blues’ appearance in 1990 FA Trophy Final!

Henshall, pictured far right alongside the team captains and fellow officials Mike Taylor and Trevor Simpson, says he’s looking forward to welcoming Leek to the Abacus Solicitors’ Community Stadium nearly 23 years after one of the most memorable days in his life.

The Wire’s former Wembley match official said: "It was a very proud day in my life. I have my match kit, programme and video of the game at home. The atmosphere was electric and I also have a piece of Wembley turf in my back garden as a memento of the day!

"The FA really looked after us and we even had our own physio for the day. We had a nice meal on the Saturday night and were guests of honour at a referees society meeting on the Friday evening. We were made to feel like royalty."

More than 19,000 fans saw the AFC Barrow v Leek Town clash which was won 3-0 by the Cumbrians and Henshall revealed that the final's officials were given an unexpected insight into life behind the scenes at the FA's then HQ at Lancaster Gate.

He explained: "On the morning of the game the FA took us around the offices at Lancaster Gate which was a nice touch to see behind the scenes. They took us into a room where all the England players’ kit bags were before they announced the squad to play in the 1990 World Cup in Mexico on the Monday.

"All the bags had the names of the players on them with six bags left to one side. We were told then that they would be the six who didn’t make the final squad!

Leek’s road to Wembley that season started at home to Hednesford Town who they beat 3-1. This was followed up by a 3-1 away win at Moor Green, a 1-0 win at Newtown while a 2-1 away victory at Spennymoor saw them progress to the Second Round proper when they hosted Nuneaton.

A 1-1 draw against the Birmingham based side earned them a replay which they narrowly won 1-0. An away game at Telford followed and after a 0-0 draw, they defeated the Shropshire side 3-0 at Harrison Park.

By now, the Blues had reached the quarter finals and faced a major task in then Non-League big boys Darlington. A 1-0 home win was enough to set up a two legged semi-final with Stafford Rangers. The first game was drawn 0-0 at Stafford’s Marstons Road while another 1-0 win at home saw Neil Baker’s side through to the final.