MANAGER Dave McNabb is already preparing for a busy week after his ‘special group’ of Warrington Rylands players secured a historic appearance in the FA Vase Final at Wembley.

Thanks to a heroic 2-1 semi-final victory over Walsall Wood in the semi-final at Gorsey Lane today, Blues have six days to prepare on and off the field for another biggest match in the club’s history.

He hails the achievement of reaching Wembley, where they face Berkshire side Binfield in the final next Saturday, as the stuff of dreams and said the opportunity to give everyone involved an occasion to relish means the world to him.

“It’s boyhood dream stuff,” he said after goals from Kane Drummond and Elliott Nevitt – from the penalty spot – booked Rylands’ maiden appearance in the final and at the national stadium in London.

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Warrington Rylands manager Dave McNabb. Picture: Mike Boden

“I felt over the past few weeks on the Vase run that it’s been quite a small enclosed bubble in terms of the players, the staff and the committee from the club,” he said.

“I’ve felt like we were in it on our own because of no fans at games and all the Covid protocols.

“So the thing for me now is that getting to the final meant that we could thank the people who have supported us – the players’ parents, partners, my partner and daughter, people’s families.

“My dad took me to football when I was four-years-old, I used to go and watch him play and manage, so having those type of people at the ground and giving a little bit back it just means the world to me and all the players.

> More reaction, pictures, fans' comments, recap of FA Vase semi-final

“I think the overriding feeling after winning the semi-final is one of massive pride. Everyone in the club from top to bottom have been so supportive and helped us create an atmosphere and an environment that let the players perform the way they did.

“But overall, what a group of players this is. They just make me so proud and they deserve every second of it.

“They’re all very like-minded people. It’s not just about being good at football, they’ve all got the same common goals and objectives.

“They’ve got a really good work ethic, never-say-die attitude and won’t give up. And they’ve all bought into something – that makes a massive difference.”

> Match report, Warrington Rylands 2 Walsall Wood 1

“This is a journey that started back in September and it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster the last four to five weeks or so.

“As soon as we were made aware that the FA Vase was carrying on this season, it was sort of panic stations making sure we got the lads ready.

“And fair play to them because we’ve done our third pre-season of the year. We’ve had to do a five-week pre-season, some of it together, some of it on their own because of the lockdown, and they’ve worked their nuts off knowing that they could play one game and be knocked out.”

Ticket details for supporters are to be announced tomorrow, Sunday, and many more logistics to sort in a short space of time.

“We’re going to have a busy couple of days. I’ve asked my boss for a little bit of time off so I can try and help us to get organised and ready to go,” said McNabb.

“We’ve got to touch base with the FA in terms of ticket allocations and all the official communications in terms of what we need to do and when we need to be at Wembley, and all that type of stuff. Then we have to work backwards from there.

“From there, we’ll have to agree how we sell the tickets – will they go on general sale, will they go to the players first.

“We’ve got to arrange transport, both for the team and the committee and for fans. We’ve got to make sure the sponsors are looked after, the junior section will get an allocation of tickets. And then there’s hotels.

“There’s so much to sort out. It’s going to be a really busy couple of days.

“The club will be doing all the hard work in the background and I think what they will want from me is input to make sure we’re happy.

“I think pretty much from the start the club’s always tried to do everything they can to try and please us and try to keep us happy, and I’m sure that will carry on. Ultimately it’s all the hard work of the people at the club that will make this week and next week go really well.”

And then ultimately, there is a cup final to win.

It has been said so many times but so many sides, Wembley is no place for losers.

“It’s not and that’s the mindset I’ve always had over it when watching FA Cup Finals, England games and such,” said McNabb.

“But I just think that at the level of football we’re playing at, going to Wembley is almost like winning a cup final already. That’s our prize.

“We’ll be going there to win the game, but what a day out, what an occasion, what an experience it’s going to be for everyone involved.”