OKEHAMPTON Argyle defender Steve Ausden and his team of footballing friends rose to the occasion when they played the last ever match at the famous Wembley Stadium on Friday — they thrashed their opponents from Sheffield 5-1.
Father-of-three Steve was lucky enough to be selected for the 'Swindon Irish Nomads' after his friend James Mitchell won a BBC Radio 5 Live competition to play a team in the last match at the 77-year-old stadium before it is demolished.
For the football fan it had been a life-long dream to play at the venue where he had seen so many great matches — and the experience did not disappoint.
'It was everything I hoped it would be and more.' he said. 'Just walking out on the pitch was absolutely breathtaking.'
All the England shirts were hanging in the changing rooms ready for the players who were treated like professionals.
'Our opponents were big blokes and pretty imposing when we first met them but five or ten minutes into the match my brother Philip scored a cracking goal totally out of the blue which set us up.'
After a half-time score of 2-1 to the Swindon Irish Nomads, Stephen and his team continued to take their chances leaving the other side demoralised.
'We played well — the only unfortunate thing was Philip scored two goals so I'll have to put up with that for the rest of my life,' he added jokingly. 'Normally he can't hit a barn door with a shovel.'
The last of 70 charity matches since the final international game between England and Germany, the contest culminated in the winning team climbing the steps to accept the FA Cup on loan from Chelsea.
'I never thought I would get my hands on the FA Cup — it may have only been brief but the feeling was fantastic,' said Stephen.
The match, which was broadcast live on Radio 5 Live and will be used as part of a BBC documentary about Wembley, was watched by 500 spectators including the player's wife and three children.
'They loved it — the boys have not stopped grinning for three days,' he said.
Steve has one consolation for his home club: 'After all those matches the pitch at Wembley is in a right state — Okehampton's is in much better condition,' he said.
l Okehampton Argyle's pitch at Simmons Park will be the venue for a cracking football local derby this Saturday when Okehampton meet Tavistock in a Devon Premier Cup game. Kick-off is at 2.30pm .