Grimsby Town's James McKeown only wants one visit to Wembley this year
JAMES McKeown wants next weekend's visit to Wembley to be his last this season.
The Grimsby Town keeper has enjoyed a stellar campaign in which he has not only helped the Mariners to the FA Trophy final, but also ensured that they still remain in contention for promotion back into the Football League.
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GREAT EXPECTATIONS: Grimsby Town goalkeeper James McKeown with the FA Trophy during a media day at Wembley Stadium. Picture: The FA/Getty Images
Like all in black and white, the former Walsall scholar is targeting a famous win over Wrexham at the weekend.
But ideally, after the final, he wants to wave goodbye to the home of football – for another season at least.
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That's because, with Town still in with an outside chance of the Blue Square Bet Premier title, McKeown has his sights set on that automatic promotion place rather than a return trip to the capital for what he calls "the lottery" of the play-off final in May.
"Wembley is fantastic and it's going to be an amazing experience to play there, but, if we're all honest, ideally, we only want to be coming here once," he told the Telegraph.
"The play-offs are a lottery and they can go either way. You look at it now and you'd have to think that it would be four out of the five that are up there at the minute.
"Any one of us could still win it, but we are all so easily matched. The league would suggest that because no team has run away with it.
"Yes it would be great to experience winning a play-off final, but I would much, much rather win the league because then the pressure is off.
"Otherwise in the play-offs it's 180 minutes then if you win that, it's another 90 minutes and you don't want to put yourself though that and then not get there.
"Personally, I think it could come down to the last game of the season to decide how it all finishes. We'll have Newport and Wrexham will have Mansfield. It could go down that far and I think it will."
Reaching a Wembley final at the relatively young age of 23 is no mean feat, and the keeper has been quick to praise Town's managers and coaching staff for showing faith in him this season.
That confidence would appear to have been well-placed, with the former Irish youth international having already kept 21 clean sheets this season – helping the Mariners' develop the best defensive record in the league.
And after such an impressive campaign, McKeown wants to make even more special memories by getting his hands on the FA Trophy – after all, he insists that's the only way he'll be able to fully enjoy his big day out at Wembley.
He said: "I've been really lucky this season because the gaffers have played me nearly every game and have shown faith in me and it has made a massive difference for me.
"I've worked a lot with Steve (Croudson, goalkeeping coach) and he's helped me to mature a lot as a goalkeeper and I feel like I'm getting to where I want to be in terms of consistency.
"I've obviously been quite lucky this season because we've been so good defensively and I've kept a few clean sheets when I've had absolutely nothing to do."
He continued: "It's been a good season so far and walking out at Wembley will be a proud moment for me and my family, as it will for all the lads.
"It will be a day that will live forever with all of us, but only if we win.
"You look at Bradford, who did amazingly well to get to the FA Cup final. But they went lost 5-0 and they will have been devastated, regardless of the fact that they lost to a Premier League side.
"There's no doubt Sunday will be a great day out for everybody, but only if we win. I will go home, even if we've lost and my missus will say 'well it was a good day out', but it won't be.
"We've got to win it if we want to really enjoy it."
7 Comments
by MidsMariner
Sunday, March 17 2013, 6:43PM
“Tj025..... My expectations at the start of the season were promotion back where we belong in the league. We may not be man utd but we are gtfc one fo the founders of the league , and not a defunct pub tram who only want low level football . Maybe you should get real and see where we are this time next year...... I bet you think a draw is a good result !”
by tj025
Sunday, March 17 2013, 2:47PM
“What ridiculous comments. Don't bother supporting the Mariners, because they really don't need support like yours GerrySixties and MidsMariner. Seriously, what were your expectations at the beginning of the season? The whole team have blown mine away - they deserve credit for the season they've had so far and the potential success to come. If everyone thought we were going to fail all the time, then we might as well quit now, what's the point? Well not everyone thinks like that, some fans actually want to see the team do well and appreciate everything they've done so far. You seem to forget that we're in the BSP and we're not Man United, get real.
Good to see James making positive comments like this, that should be the target and sounds like he has his eye on it! I'm proud of the team and management so far and I know I will still be proud when the seasons over. UTM!”
by tj025
Sunday, March 17 2013, 2:44PM
“What ridiculous comments. Don't bother supporting the Mariners, because they really don't need support like yours GerrySixties and MidsMariner. Seriously, what were your expectations at the beginning of the season? The whole team have blown mine away - they deserve credit for the season they've had so far and the potential success to come. If everyone thought we were going to fail all the time, then we might as well quit now, what's the point? Well not everyone thinks like that, some fans actually want to see the team do well and appreciate everything they've done so far. You seem to forget that we're in the BSP and we're not Man United, get real.
Good to see James making positive comments like this, that should be the target and sounds like he has his eye on it! I'm proud of the team and management so far and I know I will still be proud when the seasons over. UTM!”
by MidsMariner
Saturday, March 16 2013, 5:15PM
“That says it all...... No ambition...... One wembly visit.... Got their target so sitt back and drop down the table ...... The league season finished at braintree........ What a statement from a professional who cant stop the ball from drifting into his net..... Brilliant.. Congrat hurst and scot..... Youve kept us donw in good fashion leading us all to believe you could do it but all the time have your bonus in the bag........ The team are ajoke.”
by GerrySixties
Saturday, March 16 2013, 9:28AM
“One Wembley outing is all he's going to get. Town have blown it completely now. The play-offs mean meeting teams they can't beat. Town were out-smarted tactically by Kidderminster and its the same with other teams. Until Town match 3 central mid-fielders in these teams they will see their central pairing taken out of the game and the wingers left watching the game pass them by.”
by GerrySixties
Saturday, March 16 2013, 9:27AM
“One Wembley outing is all he's going to get. Town have blown it completely now. The play-offs mean meeting teams they can't beat. Town were out-smarted tactically by Kidderminster and its the same with other teams. Until Town match 3 central mid-fielders in these teams they will see their central pairing taken out of the game and the wingers left watching the game pass them by.”
by GerrySixties
Saturday, March 16 2013, 9:27AM
“One Wembley outing is all he's going to get. Town have blown it completely now. The play-offs mean meeting teams they can't beat. Town were out-smarted tactically by Kidderminster and its the same with other teams. Until Town match 3 central mid-fielders in these teams they will see their central pairing taken out of the game and the wingers left watching the game pass them by.”