Managers relishing Wembley date

Southampton boss Alan Pardew and Carlisle counterpart Greg Abbott agree it will be one of the proudest moments of their careers when they lead out their respective clubs in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final at Wembley.

March 2010

But pride on the day and a combative edge is all these two fiercely competitive managers are likely to share as they plot each other’s downfall in a showpiece final that is gathering credence year-on-year among the footballing fraternity.

Pardew’s Saints booked their Wembley date with a 3-1 win over MK Dons in the second leg of their Southern Area Final in front of a 30,000-crowd at St Mary’s Stadium.

Abbott’s side did it the hard way, overcoming Leeds 6-5 on penalties at a sold-out Brunton Park in the second leg of a nerve-jangling Northern Area Final.

Former Reading, West Ham and Charlton boss Pardew said: “I will be very proud because this is a big club. It was a special night against MK Dons and I didn’t think a night like that would come so soon in the season.

“The fans were brilliant for us and they deserve their day out at Wembley, as do the players.

“They have worked incredibly hard in this competition, never mind about any other competition, to get to the final.

“The main focus in the dressing room was to give the fans something here.

“We’ve managed to do that, so I’m pleased for them and pleased for the owner and chairman because they also deserve it.”

Abbott, who never made it to Wembley in over 500 appearances as a professional player, admitted: “It means everything for me and first-team coach Dennis Booth to be taking a club that has looked after us to Wembley.

“We have tried to look after it and there are some great people here. We’ve tried to unite the whole club and there is a real sense of enthusiasm running through the place.

“Everyone is working towards the same thing and to go to what I call the mecca of football will be really special.

“This is the proudest moment of my career so far and I think that taking the team there on the day will make me feel even more proud.

“I didn’t even get close as a player. I walked past it a few times, but I was never invited in, so this is a great achievement for the club. Everyone should feel really proud.”

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