It promises to be an emotional day at Wembley for Spennymoor Town boss Graeme Lee – and that’s before their Isuzu FA Trophy Final with Aldershot even kicks-off.
Lee’s family connection with the north-east club stretches back decades, and he now leads the National League North outfit as they prepare for their first-ever FA Trophy Final appearance.
They face Aldershot Town — also in their maiden Trophy Final — on Sunday and Lee revealed how big an occasion it’s going to be for him on a personal level as well as for the club itself.
“Today will be a special day,” he said. “I remember coming to Spennymoor Town when my dad – who passed away two years ago – was the club’s manager.
Morning, Moors fans!
— Spennymoor Town FC (@SpennymoorTown) April 6, 2025
No, it wasn't a dream.#Moors pic.twitter.com/Vu2B7QaThX
“For me to be managing the same club as him, and then achieving something like this to go to Wembley, and knowing I’ve been in the same changing room, the same dugout as him, it’s a special connection.
“He’s with me every day, and every game I go to I have some ashes in my pocket. If it’s a new ground, I’ll sprinkle a few of his ashes, because this club is his family, and his life was football. Hopefully nobody stops me, but I’ll be sprinkling some of his ashes at Wembley today.”
Lee and his squad head to the capital knowing they’ll be seen by many as underdogs against an Aldershot side who play their football in the league above.
But having seen off National League opposition in Rochdale at the semi-final stage, Lee says they’ll approach the game with confidence.
“We’re a National League North team, we’re part-time and we’ve had to play a lot of full-time clubs,” he added.
“It probably feels easier to come into this game as the underdogs, because we know we’re at our best when it’s like that. It has served us well on our run so far.
“I know Aldershot will be well organised and a very good footballing team. They’re expected to win, but we know what we are and what we need to do. We have an intensity and a work ethic, but also, we’ve got quality in the team.
“We’ve got quality all round the pitch, and if everyone’s on their game, we can beat anyone.
“This team has character and belief, but we know we have to perform. It’s going to be a different occasion in a special arena, but I’ll tell the players not to get too caught up in the emotion, and just concentrate on the game, which I have no doubt they will.”
You can read the full interview with Graeme in the official programme for Non-League Finals Day, which you can order online here.
