Meet nine-year-old Emily Bevan – Nantwich Town’s lucky charm who could help the Dabbers all the way to Wembley!
Emily has been the team’s mascot on three previous FA Trophy victories already this season.
And now the club are desperate to get her back in time this weekend’s semi-final first leg at home to Halifax.
Emily brought good luck to the Dabbers when they beat Kings Lynn in qualifying round 2, and again when they beat Matlock in first round proper.
And the youngster was back on the pitch with the players in the epic quarter-final win over National League Dover Athletic.
Tim Crighton, commercial director for Nantwich Town, said: “We have had lots of mascots for these cup games and they have been bringing us luck, generally.
“But one lucky mascot has been Emily. She’s been with us for three of our victories!
“I am just going to text her dad to see if she is coming to the semi-final!”
The club’s FA Trophy run has captured the imagination of the whole town as the club sits just 180 minutes from a first ever Wembley appearance.
“It’s difficult to put it into words to be perfectly honest!” said Tim.
“The buzz around the town for the quarter-finals and now the semi-finals has been incredible.
“It’s all everyone is talking about, even the non-football regulars! Everybody is asking each other if they are going to the semi-final. You can see the posters all around the town.”
The posters have been put together by members of NTISA (Nantwich Town Independent Supporters Association).
“They do a fantastic job in helping drive the club forward,” added Tim.
“Imagine what it would be like if we actually reached Wembley!
“Everybody at the club and the faithful supporters would be absolutely delighted but I think it would reach much deeper than that.
“The whole town would be buzzing with excitement and I think the clamour for tickets would be huge.
“We are starting to see lots of new faces at the club, attendances are increasing and there is a general feel-good factor.
“Phil, the management team and the players are to thank for this.
“Not only because of the results, but it has been high quality entertaining football with more than 100 goals scored so far this season in all competitions.
“A Wembley trip would really be historic for this club.
“We missed out on playing at Wembley back in 2006 (the FA Vase final) as it was being rebuilt.
“So a trip to the new Wembley would be a fantastic opportunity for everyone at the club and for the town generally.”
Nantwich have made it through seven rounds so far to reach the two-legged semi-final.
But for many, the highlight was the dramatic last minute winner at home to Dover in the last round.
“It would have to be Liam Shotton’s last-minute headed winner against Dover,” agreed Tim.
“The ground was mostly resigned to a Tuesday night away replay all the way to Dover which would have been a tough tie.
“So when Liam headed the winner the stadium erupted as we realised we were in the semi-final!
“The supporters went wild and you could see what it meant to the players and the bench.
“To make it even better, out of the corner of my eye I saw our goalkeeping coach Chris Parkes fall flat on his face after tripping over the kit bag!”
Nantwich Town’s semi-final first leg against Halifax is this Saturday March 12, kick off 3pm.
All main stand tickets have been sold, but supporters can pay at the gate on the day for other parts of the ground.
Recent Comments