Newport County AFC manager Michael Flynn is hoping to lead his team out at Wembley for the second time in as many years, this time in the Final of the Leasing.com Trophy.
Flynn and his County side were beaten finalists in last season’s Sky Bet League Two Play-Off Final against Tranmere Rovers, but the Welshman says whatever the result may be on the day, you have to cherish those moments.
“It’s special, no matter what club you’re at. If you’re leading out your home-town club as a manager at Wembley then there’s obviously a huge amount of pride and excitement. Last time, it was a special occasion, hopefully we can get another one,” he said.
“You have got to cherish those moments, whether they’re successful or not. It’s a huge achievement for a club like Newport County AFC to go to play at Wembley, and I want to make sure we do it again.
“It is another chance to have a special day out, and it’s a chance of winning a trophy as well. Before we can think about all of that, we’ve got a very tough game.”
The Exiles are set to welcome Salford City to the Rodney Parade in the Semi-Finals. The Ammies, like Newport, have never reached this stage of the competition before, and Flynn adds that, despite it being a tough task, his side will give everything for the cause.
“For us, getting this far is a massive achievement; we have never reached this stage of the competition before and I want to go one further, because I think when you get to the Final it is a 50/50 chance,” he added.
“They [Salford] have obviously taken the competition seriously, that’s why they are where they are. It is going to be tough, they have brought in players in January and they have a settled team, something that we haven’t been able to do much this season.
“We’re playing against a team in our division on Wednesday night and it’s a chance of getting into a final, so we’re going to give it our best shot. We’ve got to be at our best and we’ve got to put the ball in the back of the net.”