Thanks BE - it was definitely one of the best days of my life (and by far the best sporting day of my life), a memory that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

I attended with my son, who has always followed Latics (had two Chaddy’s when a baby and took them everywhere!), but very rarely attended due to his own sporting commitments, and my sister (who lives in London - her husband had a ticket but was ill and couldn’t attend). We were up early and tried to catch a tram from Bury to Manchester Piccadilly to catch our train to Euston - but they were not running! Bit of a panic and onto the replacement bus service - but we were not going to make it in time, as bus taking too long - so we jumped off and got an Uber - just managed to catch the train. It took a while to calm down and then the realisation of the journey to Wembley kicked in. I have to say I can’t remember a time where I was so excited about something - and I was really optimistic about the game, I really thought we were going to win it.

To share the trip and match with my son and my sister made it even more special.

We took the train from Euston to Wembley Central and sat opposite David Eyres on the train - and then had some really good banter with a nice group of Southend fans. We noticed that our train was blue and orange - which we took as a good sign!

Atmosphere was amazing and the whole walk to the stadium was just a joy. I had a lump in my throat when we got to the stadium - it all seemed a bit surreal!

Got into the ground and met Pete Wild and Darren and John Sheridan! Everyone just seemed in such amazing spirits and the noise was massive. The Oldham supporters outsung the Shrimpers fans and you could feel the tangible excitement in the ground - everyone was grinning!

Loved the match - thought we were better and deserved the win. And the moment when the winner went in will live with me forever - I was jumping around like a madman with my son! It was all so un-Latics like!

Left the ground after watching the presentations - joined an enormous queue at the station and decided to walk toward a different station and got an Uber. It was chaos. Missed our train by one minute- could see it disappearing down the track and then had to wait for an hour plus for the next direct to Manchester. Managed to get a seat - trip took forever, but it enabled me to read the programme cover to cover and watch the highlights about ten times - that goal by Norwood!!! Got home at 1am.

As others have said, I can’t keep the grin off my face! I’m connected to Darren Royle, Charlie Raglan and Scott Davies on LinkedIn so have had a few chats with them since - especially to thanks them all for such an amazing day and for making so many people, in the stadium and at home, so happy.

So yes, just a brilliant day and makes all the years of disappointment and heartache worthwhile - that’s why we follow our team, for these rare but beautiful days!