The Isuzu FA Trophy

Grimsby skipper wants Wembley return in The FA Trophy

Friday 31 Jan 2014
Disley (r) with team-mate James McKeown ahead of the 2013 Trophy Final

Grimsby Town captain Craig Disley is targeting a return to Wembley and believes his team can go one better this year and lift The FA Trophy.

After losing 4-1 on penalties in last year's Final against Wrexham, Grimsby are just two wins away from another showpiece occasion under the Arch.

The Mariners host fellow Conference side Tamworth in the Fourth Round on Saturday, a team they have already beaten twice in the league this season.

 

Grimsby Town v Tamworth

The FA Carlsberg Trophy
Fourth Round Proper
3pm, Saturday 1 February
Blundell Park
Winners receive £8000
By Stuart Appleby

 

 

And Disley, who captained his side at Wembley last season and reached the Final in the Football League Trophy with Bristol Rovers in 2007, is determined to go all the way this year.

"To get to Wembley in back-to-back seasons would be a great achievement, so the lads are buzzing for it and there's a lot to play for. It's a big game," said the 32-year-old.

"It's a massive opportunity for us in The FA Trophy and we'll be going all out on Saturday to make sure we get through the game and see what happens after that."

The experience of playing at the home of English football is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and Disley admits Wembley has given him some of his best memories in the game.

He added: "I always remember the history around playing at Wembley when I was younger and it was amazing to play there. Pulling up at the ground and there's fans everywhere. It's an amazing experience and it'll be nice to go back there and, this time, get a better result.

 

Grimsby Town captain Craig Disley with The FA Trophy.

Disley led out the Mariners at the 2013 Trophy Final.

"It's a great occasion with the build-up to the match and you try to take it all in.

“It is massive, the whole experience of playing there. The result on the day last year was not what we wanted, but when you take stock of the day and experience a few days after, then you remember the great privilege of the occasion.

Grimsby, under the management of Paul Hurst, are pushing for promotion from the Conference and Town also made it to the Third Round of The FA Cup this season.

But having seen off Coalville Town, Barnet and Maidenhead United in The Trophy, Disley believes the "nice distraction" of another tilt at Wembley glory is helping the club maintain their momentum.

Highlights of the 2013 FA Trophy Final.

 

 

"At the end of the day, it's about winning games of football and enjoying what you're doing," he said. "As Wembley does get closer and closer, it gets more apparent so it is a nice distraction.

"The league is our bread and butter as we're desperate to get back in the Football League, but The FA Trophy is a nice challenge for us. And while we're still in with a chance of making the Final, we're going to do our very best to make sure we do that."

By FA Staff