THERE were many close to tears at Shawbridge on Saturday - tears of joy as Clitheroe had to show every ounce of character to claim a Wembley place on Sunday, May 12, against Brigg Town in the final of the FA Vase.

"Brilliant, absolutely brilliant," said chairman Steve Rush who was clearly stunned when the final whistle unleashed scenes of unprecedented celebration at Shawbridge.

"I am still trying to take it all in. Just to see all those people who came here for the game.

"We had to close the gates five minutes before kick-off time because we weren't allowed to have more than 2,000 in the ground.

"It has been a fantastic day and now we are looking forward to an even better one at Wembley.

"And we have plenty of time to prepare for it this time.

"With Mangotsfield being involved in a replay everything had to be done in a hurry.

"But this has been the greatest result and the greatest day in the club's history. Hopefully, there's an even better one to come." Co-manager and Clitheroe stalwart Denis Underwood, who had to endure agonies on the bench as his team struggled to find their normal form, was handed his proudest moment by management partner Gary Butcher's dramatic late clincher.

"I said last week that to go away and see the team play so well was the proudest moment of my life since I have been connected with this club," he explained.

"But this is unbelievable.

"It was just a bit of a shame that we couldn't turn on the same sort of display at home.

"But it all came right in the end, even if I do feel 72 after that!

"We just couldn't get going at all and, to be fair to them, I thought they played quite well." Clitheroe's defensive stability pulled them through and the proud manager added: "That has been our strength all through the run.

"It has all come from being solid at the back. It was also an awful game when we played Peacehaven but you never felt they were going to score.

"To be fair, big Carlo Nash has made a couple of saves when he was one-on-one against the lad up front who was a real handful again after being outstanding in the first game."

Underwood might well have been tempted to replace his managerial partner Gary Butcher who turned out to be the matchwinner.

"He kept saying 'I'm shattered, I'm shattered' but I told him he had to keep going."

Butcher himself said: "We didn't play today but, over the two legs, I thought we shaded it.

"I just can't believe that we've done it. "It was difficult being at home and with a lot of people here. We started quite well but then we struggled and they aren't a bad side.

"Carlo Nash made two great saves and it's a disappointment for Mangotsfield but that's the way it goes. Anyone who saw the first game would know we murdered them down there."

Clitheroe's other goal hero Andrew Taylor was their chief threat and also played a crucial role in the winner which, he revealed, was the result of hard work.

"It's something we practise in training with Gary making the run and it paid off."

Victory certainly paid off for Clitheroe who can now start planning for Wembley and a massive financial boost.

They deserve it after staging a great occasion with a full house.

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