GREAT Wakering Rovers chairman Dave Patient insists he is beyond proud of the club’s run to Wembley.

Wakering face fellow Essex Senior League side Romford in Saturday’s FA Vase final.

And Patient believes it is a footballing fairytale for Marcus Bowers’ side.

“Proud is an understatement to be honest,” said Patient.

“I’m beyond proud, it’s a dream come true and it’s a fairytale. It’s Roy of the Rovers stuff and still hasn’t sunk in.

“Last year we had the doom and gloom of relegation but we’ve got our act together and done tremendously well.

“We just missed out on the play-offs after all the fixtures we had but Wembley is just incredible and a village club of our size going there is just unheard of.”

Wakering will also be roared on by more than 3,000 of their own fans.

And Patient has been blown away by the response to Rovers working their way to Wembley.

“The village has come alive,” said Patient.

“Shirts, scarves, banners and clappers are all being sold and I think we’ve got five coaches full of fans going.

“I’ve been told the Shrimpers Trust are taking coaches for Southend United fans to come too and it’s fantastic.

“We’ve sold nearly 3,200 tickets and in total for both games it’s 19,000.

“This is honestly the pinnacle of my 43 year career in football and it’s the best group I’ve ever worked with.

“They are genuinely good friends on and off the pitch and they never know when to give up.”

That team spirit has played a huge part in Rovers reaching Wembley.

But Patient is full of admiration for the group and will be telling them that just before kick off on Saturday.

“I’ve got a ticket for the Royal Box but my pass also allows me to go in the dressing room and wish the boys well,” said Patient.

“I’ll tell them they’ve done the club proud whatever happens on Saturday.

“It will forever be on their CV that they have played at Wembley in an FA competition and I can’t be any more pleased or proud of them.

“There’s so much togetherness and Marcus (Bowers) has done a terrific job.”

But Patient knows it will be tough going again this weekend against Romford who finished third in the Essex Senior League standings.

“Romford will be a very tough game,” said Patient.

“We will be the underdogs but that’s nothing new.

“We’ve been underdogs in eight of the 10 games in the Vase this season.

“They always believe and they will on Saturday too.

“It’s a one off game so who knows what can happen.”

But Patient is contemplating making Saturday’s match his last.

“I’m 76 and I’ve done 43 years in football,” said Patient.

“It’s hard work to keep going and we’re an ageing committee.

“They’re lovely people and a lovely club but it’s hard to replace yourself because youngsters don’t seem to want to come in.

“I am seriously considering stopping and Wembley could be the best place to do it.”