GREAT WAKERING R
GREAT Wakering Rovers boss Marcus Bowers will be forced to contend with losing Perry Dunn if he guides his side to FA Vase glory as the central defender is intending to announce his retirement if silverware is clinched at Wembley.
The former Hullbridge Sports and Grays Athletic man bagged a 90th minute winner as the Essex Senior League promotion chasers overcame Highworth Town last month, ensuring that they will host Falmouth Town at Burroughs Park on Saturday for a place in the semi-finals.
Dunn believes that emerging victorious under the Wembley arch would be the perfect way to end his career, having previously mulled over whether to call it quits last summer.
He told The NLP: “Playing at Wembley is a dream and the pinnacle in a football career. I’m 31, so I know I might not have much longer to get opportunities like this.
“I was going to hang my boots up at the end of last season, but I’m happy that I changed my mind now.
“Lifting the FA Vase would be such a special moment, and I think I would have to retire and end my career on a high if we manage to do that.”
Dunn has been promoted to the Isthmian Premier League with Thurrock, and played a pivotal role in Hullbridge winning the Essex Senior League.
But the boss insists the opportunity to compete in a Wembley final would top those moments.
“I know we are still a couple of rounds away from the final, but reaching Wembley would be the highlight of my career,” he added. “It’s impossible not to talk about Wembley now. All the boys are talking about it in the dressing room.
“The run in the FA Vase should be a driving force towards our form in the Essex Senior League because all of the lads will want to be in the starting line-up if we get to the final.
“It’s the best dressing room I have been in over the course of my career, and it’s up to us to make our dreams a reality.”
FALMOUTH TOWN
FALMOUTH Town supporters considered chartering another plane to Southend for their Isuzu FA Vase quarter-final clash against Great Wakering Rovers – but have instead settled on a near 24-hour coach round trip.
Town’s famous F Troop rented their very own aircraft to fly to the Channel Islands for the club’s 3-0 fifth round victory against Jersey Bulls, with around 250 supporters in total making the trip for the game.
Another long round away trip – around 700 miles in total – awaits Town this weekend and boss Andrew Westgarth has hailed the Western League outfit’s loyal supporters.
“There were talks of chartering a plane from Cornwall to Southend, it might actually be harder to get to Southend than to Jersey,” Westgarth said.
“I think the supporters left Falmouth for Jersey at 8am and were back at 8pm – this time the coach is leaving at around 4.30am in the
