Ascot United head to Wembley to make history

The club are making their first appearance at the national stadium playing in the FA Vase Final on Sunday

Author: Jonathan RichardsPublished 19th May 2023
Last updated 19th May 2023

It'll be a family affair for former Reading FC kit-man Ron Grant on Sunday.

The 88-year-old will be in the stands at Wembley with his wife Vera to see his two grandsons Harry and Alfie line up for Ascot United.

He told us it'll be a "surreal" experience and admits he's especially pleased for Harry who was a non-playing member of the Thatcham side who won the FA Vase in 2018. He says:

"He was part of the team that got through the same competition 3 or 4 years ago we went to Wembley and had a lovely day but the only sad thing was he never got on he was on the bench but this time I'm hoping he gets on the turf and perhaps can be a winner as well."

Ron looks at a photo of his grandsons Harry and Alfie

Ron says both his grandsons have good experience:

"I consider them both very good players they've been brought through football correctly they've both received professional coaching along the way. Harry was at Swindon - a good player and Alfie was part of the Reading youth set up and you can see he's been taught the right way to do things."

Ron at home in Reading

Ron admits he hasn't seen Ascot as much as he would like but says they're a good footballing side and as for Sunday he says:

"I'm certainly looking forward to seeing two of my grandsons on Wembley turf, brilliant, brilliant."

Ascot United will face cup holders Newport Pagnell and are calling on their fans to wear yellow to create a 'yellow wall' at Wembley.

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