Talks over open-top bus celebration to belatedly celebrate Hebburn Town's stunning Wembley FA Vase victory

Hebburn Town players and staff celebrate with the Buildbase FA Vase 2019/20 Trophy after the Final at Wembley Stadium, London.

Talks have been held over planning an open-top bus celebration for Hebburn Town after their FA Vase victory – with the event dependent on Covid-19 restrictions.

The Hornets celebrated a historic 3-2 victory over North East rivals Consett at Wembley to lift the FA Vase at the start of May.

Sadly the game fell before the lifting of covid restrictions on football matches, meaning fans could not attend the momentous event at Wembley, and it also robbed South Tyneside of the chance to welcome back the victorious team in a fitting fashion.

Now South Tyneside Council representatives have confirmed there have been discussions over holding a traditional open-top bus parade to belatedly celebrate the victory.

Hebburn Town's Michael Richardson, left, Louis Storey and chairman Vincent Pearson celebrate at Wembley. Picture: John Walton/PA Wire.

Cllr John McCabe raised the issue at the latest Hebburn Community Area Forum on Monday, June 7.

Cllr Wilf Flynn, chairing the meeting, said he would speak with South Tyneside Council officers for an update on the issue, with Covid-19 restrictions impacting on matters.

He said: “I think the intention was it would go ahead once they were able to do it.

“I appreciate the point, it’s not something you want to be doing months after the event if you can avoid it.”

Fans at Hebburn Sports Club react on the final whistle, as the Hornets seal FA Vase victory

The game itself had been delayed by eight months due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but it proved worth the wait for fans.

Hebburn twice came from behind to secure victory in the 2019/20 FA Vase final, after local lad Olly Martin scored the winner less than ten minutes from the final whistle.

The rousing scenes which should have been seen at Wembley took place at the Hornets’ home ground, Hebburn Sports and Social Club, which staged a beam-back of the FA Vase final with a big screen on the pitch, where drenched fans were ecstatic despite the pouring rain on match day.

The issue of the potential open top bus celebration was raised as the forum discussed its work programme for 2021/2022.

Cllr Flynn, who represents the Hebburn South ward, noted it is hard to plan what will be carried out due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, with everyone awaiting updates from the Government on the next steps.

He said: “As we sit here today we haven’t got a clue how Covid is going to pan out next month or all year.”

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