Romford chairman Steve Gardener admitted seeing the club lift the FA Vase at Wembley was his 'proudest moment in football'.

A 3-0 win over Essex Senior League rivals Great Wakering Rovers, courtesy of a second-half brace from Hassan Nalbant either side of a Sam Deering effort, ensured the historic victory.

And it proved an emotional day for long-serving Gardener, who said: "I never thought it would happen to be truthful and it has happened and the day has gone by. It's just been incredible.

"It was a great build-up walking up Wembley Way, saying hello to people and going in the Royal Box, then [secretary] Colin [Ewenson] managed to get us down on the pitch so we were able to go over and see the supporters, it was like a family party.

"Everyone wanted to come and shake your hands and it's almost undescribable. It's my proudest moment in football."

Gardener has been involved behind the scenes since the club reformed in 1992, starting off as publicity officer, becoming vice-chairman two years later and then taking over as chairman in 2001.

The club has led a nomadic existence in those 32 years, playing home games at Hornchurch, Collier Row, Ford United, Thurrock, Aveley, Tilbury, East Thurrock, Brentwood and Barking while trying, in vain, to build their own ground in Havering.

But they do now have a more permanent base at East Thurrock, having moved in earlier this season, and Gardener added: "Although Rookery Hill is a little way outside Romford, everyone that goes there, once you're there it feels like Romford, our signage, our badge, our staff behind the bar, people working are all involved in the club.

"Once you've done your journey from Romford and you get there, that's our home, that's our base. Coincidence? Probably that we got here this year but it all falls into place.

"We've now got Dan [Spinks], we've managed to get in the players Dan wanted and it's almost like a jigsaw."

A win at Wembley certainly made up for Boro losing the Essex Senior League promotion play-off final to Sporting Bengal at Rookery Hill on Bank Holiday Monday, followed by the Errington Challenge Cup to Stanway in midweek.

And Gardener spared a thought for those unable to witness history in the making.

He said: "Really sore after the play-off final but this isn't a bad compensation.

"We're lucky we're still here. We've lost a lot of supporters and people along the way.

"There was a lot of people nodding towards the sky, ex-players, supporters, people that have been on the committee.

"We spare a thought for them today. But today was about the supporters, 2500 shouting 'Come on Romford', makes your spine tingle."

Secretary Ewenson echoed those sentiments, adding: "I said to Dan, we can get promotion next year. It's very unlikely we'll get to Wembley again.

"To come here and win it is fantastic. I think we were the better team. 

"You can't fault the players he has brought in, how he has organised it.

"We had a little bad session at the end of the season, but the rest has been fantastic and this puts the cream on it.

"The amount of managers we've had that could never do this and he has done it in his first season as manager, all credit to him.

"You go and see all the crowd, if only we can get them every week. You never know, we might keep hold of a few. But such a great day, so proud of everything."