Paddy Davitt Wroxham chairman Tom Jarrett believes Yachtsmen's manager David Batch is the key factor in his club's run to the FA Vase final.

Paddy Davitt

Wroxham chairman Tom Jarrett believes Yachtsmen's manager David Batch is the key factor in his club's run to the FA Vase final.

Batch will emulate former Diss chief Bill Punton when he leads the Norfolk side out at Wembley on Sunday bidding to topple holders Whitley Bay.

Wroxham were also the county's leading Ridgeons League club this season despite a congested run-in to the campaign as a result of their FA Vase heroics. Now Jarrett is backing his young manager to cap a fine debut season at the Trafford Park helm with an historic cup triumph.

“I personally have every confidence that David will get the boys' minds right for what is a huge occasion,” said Jarrett. “There is no doubt about that - he'll have them tuned in and he'll have them fit. It doesn't bother us as a club whether they are favourites or not. When he came along to be interviewed for the post and we asked him what his priorities would be, he turned that around and asked us what were our priorities were.

“It turned out we both shared the same goals for this season and beyond. When I heard that I knew he was the one for us. I went outside after the interview, turned to Kenny Cooke and asked him what he thought and he said, 'he's the one.' We just knew as a board that he would be the right man for the job.”

Jarrett admits watching Wroxham at Wembley will be a surreal experience.

“When I see our players coming out of that tunnel I'll be looking closely at the faces just to make sure it is our players,” he said. “Because the journey we have been on is fantastic. The atmosphere amongst the boys is special as well and we're going to come down and enjoy ourselves.

“We've had a lot of games to fit in and we've gone to a lot of Ridgeons clubs over these past few weeks and the level of support we have received since the semi-final has been far, far better than I could have dreamt. I also want to say the help we have had from Shaun Turner and the Norfolk FA has been tremendous. I'm sure Shaun and the FA would do that for all the Norfolk clubs but it has been a great boost. At this moment I can't allow myself to think what it could be like. It probably won't hit me until the weekend and when we get there on match day.”

Jarrett revealed it had taken a huge logistical effort from club officials, helpers and volunteers to prepare for the biggest game in their history.

“For me, personally, it sunk in quite quickly after the Whitehawk game that we would be playing at Wembley,” he said.

“Maybe it was all the preparation and planning we had to get our heads around which has been very challenging to say the least. Its hard work but we've thoroughly enjoyed it. We would like to have things all in place a day or two before the game and then we can stop and reflect on what is going to happen and what it's going to be like.

“It's been hectic and there is never a spare moment in the day. We're involved in businesses of our own and we are used to organising things to a degree - but it has been intense.”

t Tickets to watch Wroxham at Wembley on Sunday are priced �25 and �12.50 for under 16s and supporters aged 60 and over. For a full list of outlets selling tickets along with travel information visit wroxhamfc.com or call Trafford Park direct on 01603 783538.