Reaching Wembley is a dream achieved for Aldershot

Aldershot Town will be led out at Wembley for the first time by Tommy Widdrington

Aldershot Town have already achieved something by reaching a Wembley final having taken almost a century to make their debut at the national stadium.

Tommy Widdrington's current crop are the history makers that finally earned the Shots a first appearance at the home of English football in the combined 99 years of the club old and new.

The original Aldershot Football Club was founded in 1926 before its demise and eventual folding in 1992, with Aldershot Town being founded later that year.

Their big day out at Wembley will see them face National League North side Spennymoor Town of the tier below in Sunday's FA Trophy final.

Mark Butler, who became the Shots' commercial manager in 2014 having previously etched his name into folklore with a club record 155 goals in 303 games, told BBC Radio Surrey: "I would have loved to have got there as a player, [but it] didn't quite happen.

"I know every player wants to do that and these boys have done it, which is great.

"The club has finally achieved something which it has been desperate to do for the combination of 99 years between the two clubs.

"It's been unable to do it through some good reasons and some very unlucky reasons but it's finally done it.

"It was an emotional day for me when we when we won the semi-final [against Woking] because of the long wait of both clubs to finally get to what is considered to be the Holy Grail of football, Wembley."

'Trophy win would be icing on the cake' - Butler

A number of chances to grace Wembley's hallowed turf have narrowly evaded both the original incarnation of the club as well as the phoenix club.

But it has taken until now for them to reach the hallowed ground of Wembley.

Butler, who played for the club for six years following its reformation, said: "When the opportunities of Wembley have come round, we've been either unable to take them or Wembley's been rebuilt or the final wasn't played there that year.

"So when the final whistle went against Woking and we're going to Wembley, I hope the emphasis I'm putting on that comes across, because it really is something special.

"I'm very competitive, want to win, and it would be the icing on the cake, but I want our fans to have a great party at Wembley. If the boys can bring it back, it makes it even better."

Understandably, Aldershot has been gripped by Wembley fever with their Recreation Ground draped in flags and banners marking the historic occasion and demand for tickets through the roof.

Almost 10,000 were snapped up within 90 minutes of going on sale.

Come Sunday, Butler hopes Widdrington's team will be backed by double that amount inside Wembley.

Butler said: "Twenty thousand people supporting little old Aldershot Town is remarkable for us all.

"We want everyone to have a good day. We want everyone to be proud of Aldershot Town. Aldershot are on the map. People are going to be mentioning Aldershot. It will be on some form of TV."

'It's not just another game' - Josh Barrett

Josh Barrett has scored 18 goals this season for Aldershot Town

Player of the season Josh Barrett wants all connected to the club to savour the occasion too, dismissing the idea it can be played down as just another game.

"No it's not. I don't like that at all," the attacking midfielder told BBC Radio Surrey.

"You've got an opportunity to go and play somewhere where everyone dreams of playing. Anyone from this country, for sure you want to play there.

"It may not ever happen again. This is why I'm saying, you've got to enjoy it and take everything in.

"My missus is away on her sister's hen do in Marbella but we've managed to book her a flight back on the Sunday morning so she's flying back on Sunday to come.

"My family and I'm sure all the boys will be the same - everyone is excited. All I'll ask is everyone just enjoy it.

"Let us take the pressure. We're the ones who've got to play and I don't mind a bit of pressure. I can deal with that personally and I'm sure the lads will.

"Let's enjoy it together and then hopefully after we'll be singing a certain song."