AFC Whyteleafe set for 'amazing' Wembley final

The captain of AFC Whyteleafe has said he and his teammates must "overcome their emotions" if they are going to win a trophy at the home of football.

Whyteleafe will take on Whitstable Town in the final of the FA Vase at Wembley on 11 May.

The club was only formed in 2021, rising from the ashes of Whyteleafe FC, and has already won promotions from the eighth to fifth tier of non-league football.

Captain Helge Orom told BBC Radio Surrey it would be a "memory that will never be forgotten".

"Especially for the fans, I think it'll be absolutely amazing," he said, "I've been fixated, even from earlier rounds and what that could actually look like.

"Now that we're in touching distance that's all I'm focussed on.

"It's going to hit a lot of the players, especially myself, when we actually walk out for the warm-up.

"It's about getting over their emotions and focussing on the task at hand. I don't think it's something you can prepare for unless you've actually done it."

Whyteleafe finished the season third in the Combined Counties Premier Division South, just a point behind both runners-up Redhill and champions Jersey Bulls.

Their Kent opponents also finished third in the Southern Counties East League.

Mr Orom said that despite Whyteleafe's success so far, there is confidence and not complacency.

"We never take any games for granted," he said. "We're winners no matter what the competition is and we want to go out there and win games of football.

"That's something that's been part of our DNA at this football club, which is why we've won so many games this season."

BBC Radio Surrey will be carrying online commentary of the game.

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