Romford Football Club's 1949 Wembley final remembered

On April 23 in 1949, Romford FC faced Bromley in the FA Amateur Cup final in front of 93,000 spectators at England's national stadium.

The crowds in Wembley stadium watching the 1949 Romford FC game (Image: Paul Krisman)The team had beaten Crook Town AFC in the semi-final 3-0 to head to the finale of the tournament.

They lost that game to Bromley by 1-0 but a film clip posted on YouTube showed the level of excitement in Romford for the match.

Romford FC fans on their way to Wembley stadium in 1949 (Image: Paul Krisman)

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In the video, veteran player Bill Mackenzie is seen recounting the moments from the day.

He said: “I remember getting up and getting ready and I walk past the Roneo Corner and there were hundreds of people there and several coaches."

The film further shows groups of people in these coaches heading to Wembley.

Local people from Romford pictured in a coach to Wembley for the game in 1949 (Image: Paul Krisman)“When we got to Wembley, we felt it was a bit funny that none of us were scared, and it was all settled down and that was it”, Bill added.

The Boro are now set to face Great Wakering Rovers on May 11 for this year's FA Vase final.

Romford beat Lincoln United in a penalty shootout to progress to the showpiece occasion after their two-legged semi-final ended 2-2.

Manager Dan Spinks previously told the Recorder that he was very proud of the club.

He said: "From the chairman to the secretary to the kit man, we all have to work together to get to where we are. 

"We haven't got the finances that some other clubs have so everyone has to muck in.

"And the players have all bought into the same thing of what is needed and everyone who has come in, it’s become a family."

It is just three years since Havering neighbours Hornchurch won the FA Trophy at Wembley, beating Hereford 3-1.