TWENTY-ONE years ago Gosport Borough chairman Mark Hook was selling programmes – now he’s ready for an emotional day at Wembley.
The south-coast club’s recent rise from the Wessex League all the way up to Step 2 has been nothing short of remarkable.
And Hook says Sunday is like a big family day out.
Hook said: “It’s totally surreal and an unbelievable achievement for a club that’s gone from the Wessex League to Wembley. It’s a dream come true for all the fans, volunteers and all those who help run the club – without them we wouldn’t be here.
“There are about 40 or 50 who make us tick on a match day from programme sellers, to tea ladies to our press guys and stewards.
“Every one of them a volunteer, everyone has a passion for the club and its one big family – I’m just fortunate to be the head of the family.
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. I know every club says that but it’s true. There will be a myriad of emotions. Immense pride in what we’ve achieved, both on and off the field and what Alex Pike, who is a very close friend, has achieved.
“We’ve had good times and bad times, we’ve been bottom of various leagues but the confidence has always been with the management to get us out of that.
“We’ve had problems off the field and Alex and the team have supported what we’ve done to make things better.
“We had the roof blown off our clubhouse earlier this season and we’ve still got the temporary repairs to that so we’ve been running with half a clubhouse. But it’s those things in adversity that makes the best of Gosport and it unites us.”
Hook is also hoping for a double celebration with eldest son Paul, 31, on Sunday!
“He’ll be in the crowd with a dozen of his friends cheering on the team,” Hook said. “He could have been with us but he wanted to savour the moment with his friends. Like all of us, it will be with us for the rest of our lives.”
