The answer was unequivocal in its meaning and delivery - winning the FA Vase was more important than promotion for Romford manager Dan Spinks.

A double from Hassan Nalbant and one for Sam Deering gave the Boro a sweet 3-0 win over Essex Senior League rivals Great Wakering Rovers at a sun-drenched Wembley.

Romford Recorder: Romford celebrate their second goal. Picture: PETER SHORTRomford celebrate their second goal. Picture: PETER SHORT (Image: Peter Short)

It came after a disappointing week, defeat in the Chris Errington Challenge Cup on Wednesday falling two days after Sporting Bengal United had ended their promotion dream in the play-off final.

But would Spinks swap this success at the national stadium for promotion?

Romford Recorder: Hassan Nalbant is mobbed after getting his second and Romford's third. Picture: PETER SHORTHassan Nalbant is mobbed after getting his second and Romford's third. Picture: PETER SHORT (Image: Peter Short)

"No," he said. "I would have done, beforehand. If someone said to me on Monday [at the play-off final], you can win here and lose on Saturday, I would have taken that. 

"Not now. 

"I just didn't realise about the occasion, even when I got here on Friday, I didn't realise how big it is and I didn’t realise just what we’ve achieved. 

"And that sounds silly but we were getting an escort from our hotel. That doesn't happen. 

"We get 150 to 200 people come and watch us, which is great, but this is next level.

"No one will say 2024 was the year Romford lost to Sporting Bengal in the play-offs, it will be remembered as the year we won the Vase. 

"We've made history. We can now speak about that."

Romford Recorder: Ashaan Siddick enjoys a joke with the officials. Picture: PETER SHORTAshaan Siddick enjoys a joke with the officials. Picture: PETER SHORT (Image: Peter Short)

Romford Recorder: Romford skipper Kris Newby with the trophy. Picture: PETER SHORTRomford skipper Kris Newby with the trophy. Picture: PETER SHORT (Image: Peter Short)

And the magnitude of the occasion, and the achievement made, has left Spinks with another thing that he is in no doubt of.

"I’m going to be going for this again," he said, "I want to be sitting here next year, no question. 

"The Vase kept our league form intact, the buzz from winning the quarter-finals and the semi finals got us through that last eight to 10 weeks when it got hectic.  

"I'll be trying to do the same again next year although whether I do or not is another question, and don’t hold me to that. 

"But we will be trying, I assure you."

Romford Recorder: Romford manager Dan Spinks soaks it all in. Picture: PETER SHORTRomford manager Dan Spinks soaks it all in. Picture: PETER SHORT (Image: Peter Short)

 The boss even had time to just drink in the success and his surroundings.

He said: "After a little celebration, I went and shook the hands of the Wakering players and I was walking back on my own. 

"And I was just looking around and thinking, ‘oh my God, what am I doing here’? 

"That's what it feels like from our point of view, you know. We're not professional. We've never been anywhere near this level. 

"And to be walking across the pitch there is a proud moment in my life. 

"That’s why this is better than Monday, because Monday's promotion can happen again. I can probably get to the play-offs next year.  

"This will be a bigger achievement to be back here again, wouldn't it?"  

Romford Recorder: Romford's Darren Phillips. Picture: PETER SHORTRomford's Darren Phillips. Picture: PETER SHORT (Image: Peter Short)

But what ever comes next, and however, big his budget is from the victories along the way, Spinks is certain of one more thing.

"The celebration will be going on for a few hours now and then I'm gonna have a week holiday somewhere after that," he said.

"I'll need a break after everything because it has been hectic."