An alternative look at Great Wakering Rovers' Wembley heroes

GREAT Wakering Rovers star Harry Talbot dishes the dirt on his team-mates lining up at Wembley this weekend. 

GOALKEEPERS

Luis: "Great between the sticks and even better in the bar. Luis is a great shot-stopper who has been vital to our historic cup run, winning two penalty shoot-outs and making some huge saves. One guarantee is he’ll be out all night after the final."

DEFENDERS

Danny Cossington: "Cosso is our club captain. He is a true leader on and off the pitch. When he’s not moaning at us (which is rare) he’s pumping us up for the challenge and organising us on the pitch. He plays with his heart and will die for the badge! Been compared to Lee Catermole, not as a player but looks the spit of him."

Kingdom Dawson: "A pacey full-back that likes to get up and down. Very good defending one on one and has good footballing ability. We’ve still not forgiven him for missing the semi-finals (both legs) but he’ll probably still travel with the team this weekend."

Caiden Imbert-Thomas: "Versatile player that can play full-back and as a winger. Caiden brings power and energy to the game and loves to bomb on to assist in attacks when he can. Whilst we actually tried to sign his brother, Caiden turned out to be a good alternative."

Off to Wembley - Great Wakering Rovers (Image: Nicky Hayes)

Harrison Topliss: "Harrison ‘Harribo’ Topliss is an outstanding CB. Although he hates football, he has an abundance of talent and has played a crucial role for us this season. He does enjoy some parts of football however, like getting to spend even more quality time with his soul-mate Ben Search. Harrison will be looking for a good send off, as he’s going travelling to find himself at the end of this season. "

Oliver Jenkins: "Jenko is a big, strong and powerful CB. He also boasts good speed and footballing ability. He’s played a huge part in our success this season, as if it wasn’t for his song selections pre-game we may not have been so pumped."

Perry Dunn: "An experienced CB who leads with action. Perry scored the now famous winner at Highworth in the 96th minute. He was already a Wakering legend but is an even bigger one after that. His hero’s include: Sean Dyche, Nigel Farage, Sam Allardyce to name a few."

Jack Nolde: "Noldey is a talented LB with a wand of a left foot (shame he doesn’t use it much). He can defend and go forward with great ability and has racked up a good amount of assists this season. Maybe his best performance has also been in the changing room pre-game."

Plenty to celebrate - Great Wakering Rovers (Image: Nicky Hayes)

Joe Burgess: "A great defender who can play LB or CB if need be. He brings great experience to the side (not just because he’s old) having been around the non-league scene for a long time. Burgess has put some big performances in for us. He’s the gaffer's best mate but probably would make the squad anyway."

MIDFIELDERS

Tom Barton: "Barts is a no nonsense, defensive midfielder who dominates the middle of the park. He brings experience, tenacity and quality to the team. His claim to fame is a short lived snooker career. He can usually be found down the Qball in Basildon, reminiscing about the good old days."

James White: "Whitey has seen it, done it and worn the t-shirt. A leader on and off the pitch as well as a brilliant player. Unfortunately injuries have plagued the latter stages of his season, and his presence in midfield has been missed, but his hustling habits at the back of the coach have not!"

Callum Bloss: "Bloomy, is a neat footballer with bags of ability. He can slice a midfield open with ease and has an eye for goal, bagging a total of one this season. The chairman wasn’t overly keen on Bloomy but I think he’s won him over with his smile."

Ben Search: "Searchy is the only member of the squad to have already been to Wembley as a player. He travelled with Concord Rangers in 2021 for the FA Trophy final (key word being travelled). The stats speak for themselves. He’s an excellent footballer with great leadership qualities for someone of his age. We miss him when he’s not in the team! He’s the only player I’ve known to be awarded the captain's armband as a result of his habit of getting sin-binned."

Pumped up - Ben Search (Image: Nicky Hayes)

Hafeez Elegushi: "Demi is a box to box midfielder who covers every blade of grass and brings pace and power to the midfield. His bundles of energy on the pitch stem from his ability to sleep anywhere at anytime. He’s put in some great performances in some big games for us this season."

Jake Gordon: "Gordo is a versatile midfielder. He can play central or out wide. He brings creativity and quality on the ball. Perhaps one of his best moments was the volley from outside the box in the semi-final vs Worcester. You wouldn’t believe he’s 27, not only because of his hair (or lack of) but also due to his vast experience."

Ryan Scougall: "Cup tied but a massive part of this team. Plagued by injuries this year but he’s shown amazing quality when called upon. Brings out his inner Scottish when it matters most."

Craig Ferguson: "A ball playing midfielder with great quality, but someone who can also put it about. He joined late in the season but has added quality and a different dynamic to our midfield. Legs might be made of poppadoms given the injuries but he forms an important part of the squad when fit!"

Bill Johnson: "The longest serving current player for Wakering. He will no doubt get his statue after Wembley. BJ has a wand of a left foot and an absence of experience in the game. He’s pushing 40 so this could be his farewell, but I hope it’s not, as he’s a great player and great person."

In the final - Great Wakering Rovers (Image: Nicky Hayes)

Max Gnandi: "Max is a pacey and powerful winger who has bags of ability. His thunder thighs give him a unique low centre of gravity that causes problems for defenders in all aspects and he has scored some big goals for us this season. Namely, our winner in the semi-final of this competition."

Dom Locke: "Lockey has recently joined Wakering and brings an abundance of quality and experience at a high level with him. He’s a powerful and tricky winger but by far his best quality is his teeth. I can’t wait to see them shining off that sunshine in Wembley."

Shemarie Perkins-Palmer: "Shem is a pacey winger. He’s electric even. Causes massive problems for defenders when he’s running at them. Unfortunately his season has been set back by a big injury but we’re looking forward to having him back, Monday to Sunday!"

STRIKERS

Tony Martin: "You could say TM is the last of a dying breed…He’s an out and out number nine who has an eye for goal and a brilliant strike, although watching his penalty in the semi-final you wouldn’t have thought so. TM’s scored some important goals for us since joining this season, so all is forgiven!"

Goal-getter - Callum Boylan (Image: Nicky Hayes)

Callum Boylan: "Boylan AKA star boy, is a pacey, power and clever forward. His stats speak for themself and he’s been at the forefront of a lot of our success this season. It’s a shame we haven’t got his father instead but Cal is not far off!"

Jack Stone: "Stoney is a talented striker with a lot of talent. He’s got great goal scoring ability which he’s proven at Southend's youth set up. He’s performed to a very high level when called upon and has had a big impact in this team."

Harry Talbot (by Ben Search): "Mr big-time himself. A great player with loads of ability and a massive character around the changing room. Always dedicated to get the first drink/beer after the game. Shame he doesn't have the same dedication to track his man back!"