WEMBLEY LOVE AFFAIR MADE GEOFF'S DREAMS COME TRUE
The Non-League Football Paper|March 15, 2020
GEOFF Chapple had a dream as a teenager but not even he could have imagined it to pan out like it did.
WEMBLEY LOVE AFFAIR MADE GEOFF'S DREAMS COME TRUE

“As a 14-year-old schoolboy we were given an essay to write the two things we most wanted in life,” he told The NLP. “Mine were to own a BMW and play football at Wembley.

“I’ve since had about five BMWs. I didn’t get to play at Wembley but I had the next best thing!”

Didn’t he just. Having been manager of Woking since 1984, the Cards had only progressed past the last 16 once during his tenure before a magical run to Wembley in 1994, the first of five successes for the former forward under the Twin Towers.

Their first appearance was confirmed after a semi-final replay win over Enfield at Adams Park, Wycombe, having drawn 1-1 across two legs. It proved to be an emotional experience for Chapple.

“I drove up to my late parents’ house after the game. They died before I took over at Woking,” he said.

“It was 3am. I was so chuffed to get to Wembley that I wanted to feel close to them, be where I spent most of my life.

“I must admit I shed a few tears. I got home an hour later and recorded the ClubCall line, we used to make about £1,500 a month from people ringing in.

“I still remember saying at the start: The dream is now a reality. Woking are going to Wembley.”

Goals from Dereck Brown and Darran Hay helped them defeat Runcorn 2-1 in the final, a scoreline they replicated a year later over Kidderminster Harriers when Scott Steele’s first-minute curler and Colin Fielder’s extra-time header made it back-to-back glory for the Surrey side.

“We didn’t think we could emulate the previous year but it gives you a liking for it,” declared Chapple.

“We had an excellent team playing total football, just how I wanted it.

This story is from the March 15, 2020 edition of The Non-League Football Paper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March 15, 2020 edition of The Non-League Football Paper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL PAPERView All
CLEMENTS AT DOUBLE TO SPARK COMEBACK
The Non-League Football Paper

CLEMENTS AT DOUBLE TO SPARK COMEBACK

IF Ware were looking to get revenge for their 7-1 defeat in the reverse fixture they had an early shock before eventually coming through against Bedford Town.

time-read
1 min  |
March 24, 2024
BEES LEFT BUZZING BY DUFFY'S LATE STING
The Non-League Football Paper

BEES LEFT BUZZING BY DUFFY'S LATE STING

HARBOROUGH held on to top spot with a stoppage-time equaliser that prevented close rivals Spalding United from leapfrogging them in the league.

time-read
1 min  |
March 24, 2024
SWANS CANCEL OUT HILL STRIKE
The Non-League Football Paper

SWANS CANCEL OUT HILL STRIKE

Deadly Ujkaj denies Michael's Martyrs

time-read
2 mins  |
March 24, 2024
HOLLERAN'S SHOW THEIR
The Non-League Football Paper

HOLLERAN'S SHOW THEIR

LEAMINGTON boosted their play-off hopes with a convincing win on the road, inflicting a fourth straight defeat on promotion rivals Redditch United at the same time.

time-read
1 min  |
March 24, 2024
SAM EXTOLS RYLANDS'AWAY-GAME EFFORTS
The Non-League Football Paper

SAM EXTOLS RYLANDS'AWAY-GAME EFFORTS

WARRINGTON Rylands boss Sam Wilson expressed his satisfaction after his side battled to keep their unbeaten away record going at Hyde United.

time-read
1 min  |
March 24, 2024
CLINICAL RESCUES
The Non-League Football Paper

CLINICAL RESCUES

FRANK NOUBLE'S header kept Yeovil Town on course for the championship and inflicted the Iron's first defeat in 14 home games, before a near-2,000 crowd.

time-read
1 min  |
March 24, 2024
RED-HOT PILGRIMS SILENCE  BOYZONE
The Non-League Football Paper

RED-HOT PILGRIMS SILENCE  BOYZONE

MEMBERS of Boyzone watched their beloved Chorley yesterday but the star of the show was Pilgrims' hat-trick hero Jimmy Knowles.

time-read
1 min  |
March 24, 2024
KAIN HAS THE RIGHT TOUCH
The Non-League Football Paper

KAIN HAS THE RIGHT TOUCH

HIGH-FLYING Gateshead twice came from behind for a vital win in an incredible end-to-end play-off six pointer at Altrincham.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 24, 2024
CIAN KEEPS IT A TIGHT RACE
The Non-League Football Paper

CIAN KEEPS IT A TIGHT RACE

CIAN HARRIES nerveless late Aldershot Cless penalty ensured parity in an enthralling game which maintained both sides' play-off positions.

time-read
1 min  |
March 24, 2024
Baxter backing Jenkins to bounce back at Chiefs
The Non-League Football Paper

Baxter backing Jenkins to bounce back at Chiefs

ROB Baxter has backed Dafydd Jenkins to bounce back from the disappointment of leading Wales to a first Six Nations wooden spoon in 21 years.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 24, 2024