Fleetwood Town’s Wembley win was a day to remember: A look back at Cod Army’s play-off promotion

In his capacity as vice-chairman of the Fleetwood Town Official Supporters’ Club, Jamie agreed to write an article about his most memorable match....

Like every other football fan on the Fylde coast and beyond, I’m missing more than a hobby with the absence of football.

Coronavirus is playing havoc with our lives, communities and health. For those people helping others in a time of need I salute you. A special thank you to those in the NHS.

I was asked by Bernard Noble, chairman of the FTOSC, to write a piece on my favourite game.

I was happy to oblige and wade through the many memories I have of watching football.

It is a struggle to single out one game but few match the achievement and magnitude of our Wembley win in 2014, beating Burton Albion 1-0 in the League Two play-off final.

It was my dad’s birthday and I was with my family in the Royal Box.

Being 16 at the time, I watched my football exclusively from the Memorial Terrace at Highbury and away games from the visitors’ end, so this was certainly a change.

On arriving at Wembley, we were taken under and around the stadium to where the team coaches would arrive.

We went into the dressing rooms and then entered the pitch, soaking in the calm before the storm from pitchside.

You don’t appreciate the sheer scale of Wembley until you’re next to the hallowed turf.

You imagine how the play is going to unfold, knowing what happened the day before.

Rotherham United had trailed 2-0 to Leyton Orient in the League One final but won on penalties, with manager Steve Evans running down the touchline when they made it 2-2.

We then made our way up to the lounge to dine, though nerves got the better of my appetite and the speakers unsurprisingly bored a teenager. Kick-off ticked closer.

After frequent clock-watching I went to my seat, right at the front, where the trophy would be lifted.

As I sat between our CEO, Steve Curwood, and my dad, the players were led out by my little brother, Lucas.

The atmosphere spiked as the national anthem rang out and then we were off, a whole season for two teams and their supporters decided by one final game.

David Ball was twice denied valiantly by saves from Dean Lyness in the first couple of minutes – the first from a great shot on the turn, the second a header from close quarters following a corner.

To say the rest of the first half was entertaining would be a lie, as both teams trotted back to their dressing room and back to the drawing board.

We spoke about what was to come rather than what had happened.

The second half started as slowly as the first had ended.

Burton were the first team to breathe life into the game but did little to threaten Chris Maxwell in the Fleetwood goal.

Fleetwood were gaining confidence with some probing attacks.

When Josh Morris was chopped down around 10 yards into the Burton half Antoni Sarcevic stepped up to take the free-kick.

His high delivery caught Lyness in no man’s land, retreating towards his goalline.

As the ball dropped, the keeper threw out a hand in an attempt to bat it away but Sarcevic’s effort nestled in the back of the net.

Elation erupted throughout the Fleetwood camp. It was one of those special celebrations of sheer joy and relief.

We came back down to earth, knowing there were still over 20 minutes to play and a job still to be done.

Those tense moments felt like hours as the final minutes drew closer.

I remember a Burton corner being one of their last threats but it was swiftly cleared to Nathan Pond, who steamed forward.

It looked like Pondy would make history with a stunning second goal.

Alas, he was chased down but the ball was punted to safety and the referee concluded the game.

Everyone in red and white immediately broke into celebration.

The whole Fleetwood bench poured on to the pitch, embracing their colleagues as players and fans showed their emotion. Fleetwood Town were promoted to League One.

As we were celebrating the Burton players began to march up the steps for losers’ medals none of them wanted.

After commiserating with their directors, we saw our players arrive and greeted them with hugs and high fives.

After they all received their medals, who else could lift the trophy but Pondy, the Fleetwood legend of more than 15 years?

He raised the trophy high above his head to the roars of the Fleetwood supporters.

In the midst of the celebrations, one of the FA representatives asked: “Gentlemen, would you like to join your team on the pitch?”

Without hesitation we moved quickly towards the lift to take us down.

It was one of the strangest lift journeys of my life – not often are they filled with so much exhilaration and happiness.

The light beamed through the tunnel entrance as I rushed on to the pitch, followed by my dad and the other directors.

Seeing so many faces in the crowd, I looked for my mates who I watched matches with week in, week out. I hopped over an advertising board and celebrated with them.

Back on the pitch, there was a mighty cheer as my dad lifted the trophy in front of the Fleetwood fans behind the goal.

Those celebrations and memories will stay with me for a lifetime.

As a football fan, you can’t really beat watching your team win at Wembley, then joining the celebrations on the pitch and holding the trophy.