Allan Jackson, 28, of Westgate, was a fullback for teams like Lansil, Caton and Squires in the North Lancs League, after coming through the local youth league system.

But his move to North West Counties League side, Kirkham and Wesham, five seasons ago started a journey that led to the hallowed turf of the new Wembley stadium and FA Vase glory at the weekend.

Speaking to The Visitor just prior to his open-topped bus victory tour round the Fylde town on Monday night, Allan said the weekend had been an amazing – if nerve-wracking-experience.

He said: "The only time I'd been there was to the old stadium when England played Colombia and their keeper did the famous 'scorpion' kick, so to actually play there was absolutely unbelievable.

"We travelled down on the Friday and had a look round and just getting into the car park I could feel my legs going.

"The dressing rooms had all the stuff laid out for the Ebbsfleet and Torquay FA Trophy final on Saturday and there were flags and things for Kirkham and Wesham, which really brought it home that we would actually be playing there!

"We'd travelled down on the official England team coach and people kept looking in to see who we were.

"Then we spent a bit of Saturday training at Bisham Abbey – even now when I'm talking about it, it sounds mad – completely surreal."

Kirkham and Wesham fans – whose ranks included a coach load of Allan's mates from Squires – were outnumbered about five-to-one by Lowestoft Town supporters, but it was the Fylde contingent that was cheering at the end, as Matty Walwyn's late equaliser and winner saw Kirkham to victory.

"When we'd had a walk inside the stadium before kick-off there were only a few fans dotted around.

"But as we walked out for the match there were thousands there all round the bottom tiers and that's when the nerves really kicked in," Allan said.

Match-winner Walwyn came on after 79 minutes, to replace Allan in a tactical switch.

"We'd done the same to good effect in earlier rounds so I expected it. We were one down so had to throw more into attack late on and it worked," said Allan.

"I had been nervous, but got a good touch early on and was able to settle into my game after that and I thought I did pretty well.

"The trip down, the game with people cheering our individual names and the tour round Kirkham on Monday were unbelievable experiences I've never had before and probably never will again – absolutely brilliant."