Buckland Athletic edging closer to playing at Wembley

Credit: ITV News

Newton Abbot based Buckland Athletic are playing in the quarterfinal of the FA Vase at Bromsgrove Sporting.

A win in the Midlands and they'd be just one tie away from running out on the hallowed turf of Wembley Stadium.

If success breeds success Buckland Athletic are destined for big things this season.

Ellis Laight knows what it's like to win an FA Vase. The Buckland boss scored for Taunton in the 2001 final against Berkhamsted.

That match was played at Villa Park because Wembley at the time was being redeveloped.

Watch Laight's goal here:

Missing out on playing in North West London was slightly annoying but Laight said scoring more than made up for it.

"Well obviously there was a disappointment it wasn't at Wembley, everyone wants to play at Wembley don't they."

"I'm a Villa fan it was at Villa Park, the day turned out great for me I stood on the Holt End and I've now scored on the Holt End. We won the Cup I got man of the match it was written for me I think."

Jeff Welch, left and Roy Holmes, Buckland Athletic Chairman Credit: ITV News

Buckland won't lack confidence going into Sunday's match. They've won their last 14 games and haven't lost a match since October 2016.

The club was only formed in 1977 as a youth team in Newton Abbot. In 40 years they've managed to build themselves an impressive club house and own their ground.

Chairman Roy Holmes said, "the luckiest thing of all is we've got such a large band of volunteers willing to do things for nothing."

"The clubhouse was built mostly with our own labour the Grandstand and all the bits and pieces you can see around the place"

"It's been a long journey and I never dreamt that when I first joined that we'd be in where we are today now, I must say it brings a lump to my throat."

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This will be Buckland's fourth game in five this season that they have been drawn away.

They are guaranteed a home tie if they make it through because the semi-finals are over two legs.

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They've already picked up £7,700 in prize money from their cup run which is a massive amount at this level.

Manager Laight said, "We have to worry about training facilities, we don't have all the best equipment - you have got lads who are working during the day who might not be able to make it in the evening because they've got kids."

If Buckland win, playing at Wembley will be within touching distance. Their manager has shown he can perform on the big stage and now he's hoping his players will follow suit.

Taunton's FA Vase triumph in 2001 Credit: ITV News