If anyone deserves his seat in the royal box at Wembley on Saturday then it has to be Eastleigh stalwart Derik Brooks.

With a staggering 54 years loyal service to the Ten Acres club, Derik is Mr Eastleigh Football Club and the twin towers trip will be the pinnacle of a lifetime dedicated to non-league football.

Such is the romance of Wembley that each final there always seems to unearth its own little gem and Eastleigh certainly have their own nugget in Brooks.

It is written in the history books that Brooks helped found the club, known then as Swaythling Athletic, back on May 22, 1946 when any thoughts of Wembley were a very distant dream indeed.

"Back then we played our matches in Junior 1 and 2 of the Southampton League on Southampton Common just behind the Cowherds pub," recalled Brooks fondly.

"We had to put up what were half-painted goalposts before every game and I'd mark out the pitch with sawdust - those were the days!

"Obviously I'm as pleased as punch for the club and it is the high point for me personally irrespective of the status of the competition which is pooh-poohed by many.

"Most of all I'm very pleased for the players themselves. It is every player's dream to get to Wembley and so few actually make it."

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