Hebburn Town manager Kevin Bolam wants to use FA Vase final against Consett as launchpad up the non-league system

Monday’s all-North East final will kick off an exciting month for the Hornets as they look to secure an unprecedented FA Vase double and secure promotion into the Northern Premier League.

The showdown with Consett brings an end to a 12-month wait to contest the 2019/20 Vase Final – and Bolam’s men still have an interest in this season’s competition.

Hot on the heels of their Wembley trip is next Saturday’s Vase quarter-final at North West Counties League club Warrington Rylands – with this season’s final set to take place two weeks later.

There is also the small matter of the Hornets application for promotion into a new look Northern Premier League ‘North Division’ which could be rubber stamped over the next fortnight.

These are exciting times for the club and Bolam wants his side to use their maiden Wembley trip as motivation to continue the progress made over the last three years.

He told The Gazette: “The Northern League has done very well in the FA Vase over the years, and I think of some of the managers that have been there from the Northern League.

“Some of the clubs that have kicked on and won the competition, you see where they are now.

“We see them higher up the pyramid, everything they are doing on and off the pitch, and that is what this club is wanting to do.

“We are at the beginning of that journey and there is a lot of what to do.

“But we feel ready to take the next step and the Vase Final is a big part of that.”

Hebburn supporters will be limited to watching events at Wembley from in front of their television screens after the decision to hold the final behind closed doors.

But that hasn’t stopped a buzz going around South Tyneside as Bolam’s side look to follow in the footsteps of South Shields by bringing the Vase back to the area.

“There is a fantastic buzz around the place,” explained Bolam.

“I have driven up from South Shields to Hebburn and I have been counting houses with bunting and bows.

“It’s not just Hebburn, it’s South Shields and Jarrow getting behind the club.

“There are some top, top people at the club, and they work their socks off – and I think they have the respect of people in the area.

“So, the support is as much for them as it is for me and the players.”

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