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Non-league side reach Wembley for first time

Briony Leyland and Stuart RustSouth of England
Those White Lines A group of footballers gathered around a goal as a ball comes flying in from the right. The goalkeeper, dressed in a red strip, is leaping into the air and holding the crossbar with one hand. Those White Lines
A record crowd watched AFC Stoneham secure a place at Wembley for the first time

A non-league football club has reached Wembley for the first time in its history after making the FA Vase final.

AFC Stoneham, based in Eastleigh, Hampshire, beat Hallen 6-1 on aggregate to secure their place.

They will now face Cockfosters FC in the final on 17 May.

Club chairman Mark Stupple said reaching Wembley was "something you dream about as a child".

AFC Stoneham players celebrate in the dressing room after reaching the FA Vase final

Stoneham completed the job with a 3-1 win in the second leg at Stoneham Lane, having already secured a 3-0 victory away from home.

Goals from captain Alex Welch, who scored twice, and Tyrrell Sampson sealed the result in front of a record crowd of 851.

Welch, a quantity surveyor, said: "It's hard to put into words. I don't think we'll understand what it really means until we're out on the pitch - but it's a fantastic achievement."

Those White Lines A crowd of people are gathered together on a football pitch pumping their fists in the air in celebration. They are holding a large banner that cannot be made out because people are in front of it. Those White Lines
Stoneham will face Cockfosters FC in the FA Vase final on 17 May

More than 650 teams entered the competition, with just two now remaining.

The victory marks the biggest moment in the club's history, with a first appearance at Wembley now awaiting them.

Stupple said the club was "absolutely over the moon".

A man with glasses and a purple hoody is pictured smiling at the camera in front of a football pitch.
Chairman Mark Stupple said he has spent his life dreaming of reaching Wembley

"To reach Wembley is something you dream about as a child," he said.

"I'm 64 so it's a dream that's almost 64 years old and it's quite unbelievable."

With 161 teams and 1,700 players, Stoneham claims to be the second largest grassroots football club in the country.

A woman with blonde hair and glasses is pictured in front of a football pitch.
Supporter Lucy Mair said the result was "what dreams are made of"

Lucy Mair, a fan who also coaches two of the club's teams, said: "A local team from Southampton going to play at Wembley is just amazing. It's what dreams are made of."

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