Defender in last season final
You have to delve back nearly three decades to find Fleetwood Town’s sole trip to Wembley, a 3-1 FA Vase Final defeat at the hands of Halesowen Town in 1985.
But for one member of the Cod Army’s class of 2013-14, memories of an appearance at the national stadium are far more recent.
Ryan Cresswell was part of the Southend United team which suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Crewe Alexandra in last season’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final.
A summer move to Fleetwood has proved the catalyst for another potential Wembley tilt for the defender, with Graham Alexander’s side within a two-legged Northern Area Final against Chesterfield of booking an occasion to remember on Sunday, March 30 but the defender first looked ahead to Saturday's League 2 visit of York City.
"We have a huge game this Saturday against York. We had a good win at their place last October and we'll be looking for the same again. Confidence is high following our recent results and we will take that into Saturday."
Turning to the trophy, Cresswell said, “Last season’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final was probably the best and worst day of my footballing career at the same time,” said 26-year-old Cresswell.
“The feeling of walking out at Wembley for a big final and lining up before the game was as good as it gets. The other side to that was walking up the steps to collect a runners-up medal which was devastating.
“It’s a day I’ve learned a lot from and it has helped me in my career since and hopefully will continue to do so.
“One of the big things I would love to do as a footballer is be a Wembley winner so hopefully that is something we can all achieve this season.”
Victories over Tranmere Rovers, holders Crewe, Carlisle United and Rotherham United have seen Fleetwood claim an impressive quartet of League 1 scalps in this season’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
They will be on more familiar territory in the Area Final which is against fellow League 2 rivals Chesterfield, with Fleetwood having home advantage in the first leg.
And Cresswell knows that both sides will relish trying to win a trip to Wembley to sit alongside their respective promotion challenges.
“Chesterfield are a good side and we drew with them 1-1 earlier this season in the League,” he added.
“It’s a tie which both sides will look at and think they have a good chance of going to Wembley.
“We have a lot of belief from the results we have had against League 1 teams so hopefully we can clear one more hurdle and go all the way to the final.”
Fleetwood Town host Chesterfield in the first leg of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Area Final on Tuesday 4th February at 7.45pm. The second leg is yet to be determined but will be either Monday or Tuesday 17th/18th February.
Tickets for the first leg of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Northern Area Final at Highbury are now on sale.
Hospitality in the Parkside Suite is £39 per person and Executive Boxes £499 plus VAT.
The second leg at the Proact Stadium will be on Monday or Tuesday 17th/18th February. Second leg ticket prices will be announced when received from Chesterfield.
Ticket prices can be found here or below.
Advance Purchase
Member | Adult | Over 65/Under 18 | Under 16 | Under 5 |
Parkside (Seating) | £16.00 | £11.00 | FREE | FREE |
Highbury (Seating | £15.00 | £10.00 | FREE | FREE |
Memorial (Terrace) | £13.00 | £9.00 | FREE | FREE |
Non Member | Adult | Over 65/Under 18 | Under 16 | Under 5 |
Parkside (Seating) | £18.00 | £13.00 | FREE | FREE |
Highbury (Seating | £17.00 | £12.00 | FREE | FREE |
Memorial (Terrace) | £16.00 | £11.00 | FREE | FREE |
Matchday Purchase
Member | Adult | Over 65/Under 18 | Under 16 | Under 5 |
Parkside (Seating) | £18.00 | £13.00 | FREE | FREE |
Highbury (Seating | £17.00 | £12.00 | FREE | FREE |
Memorial (Terrace) | £15.00 | £11.00 | FREE | FREE |
Non Member | Adult | Over 65/Under 18 | Under 16 | Under 5 |
Parkside (Seating) | £20.00 | £15.00 | FREE | FREE |
Highbury (Seating | £19.00 | £14.00 | FREE | FREE |
Memorial (Terrace) | £18.00 | £13.00 | FREE | FREE |