Hebburn Town's Wembley dreams remain alive after positive FA update

The Hornets reached the last four of the competition with a 2-0 home win against Western League club Plymouth Parkway just two weeks before the coronavirus epidemic curtailed the 2019-20 season.

That led to fears that Kevin Bolam’s side would be robbed of a chance to take on Southern League outfit Corinthian over two legs for the right to make a first appearance at the home of football.

Hebburn’s Northern League rivals Consett have also been nervously awaiting an update from the FA after securing a two-legged semi-final against Western League side Bitton with a hard-earned win at Atherstone Town in the last eight.

But despite an FA Council decision to null and void the season, English football’s governing body have confirmed that they are determined to all their national competitions to be played to a close.

The FA have reiterated their intention to play the Vase Final at Wembley and remain in close contact with the government to consider the possibility of allowing supporters to attend.

However, there was a warning for all four semi-finals as the FA stressed that any decision would depend on the further lifting of restrictions to stem the pandemic.

It is understood that both the FA Trophy and FA Vase Finals will take place on the same day and Wembley have been approached about possible dates for non-league football’s flagship event.

Consett chairman Frank Bell told their club website: “We are in the hands of the Government over when it is safe to play in front of a crowd again, and The FA over when the games can be scheduled, but we are just glad our dream of playing at Wembley is still alive after the unprecedented events of the last few months.

“Our first team will begin socially-distanced training soon, and whenever The FA give us the green light to play again, I’m sure Terry and his staff will have the lads ready for the biggest game in the club’s history.”