THERE were jubilant scenes at Treyew Road on Saturday when Truro City celebrated one of the most famous victories in Cornish football history.

The packed house gave the City side a standing ovation after a pulsating FA Carlsberg Vase semi-final second leg that the home side won 3-1 against Lancashire opponents Curzon Ashton.

The glittering prize for the winners was a place in the final at the new £700m Wembley Stadium - a prospect that, just over two seasons ago for a cash-strapped City club, would not have even been a dream.

The man who has transformed City's fortunes with his financial muscle, property developer Kevin Heaney, has got the reward he demanded, and in such a spectacular fashion that not even he might have envisaged. Promotion is still the priority, but nothing will be able to take the gloss off such a thrilling, sporting occasion as this epic confrontation.

North West Counties League side Curzon Ashton played their part and their players, who were reduced to tears at the final whistle, encapsulated the opposite spectrum of success and failure.

With a new stand housed on the road side, the ground had a real football stadium atmosphere, but none of the 2,652-strong crowd could have been as vociferous as chairman Kevin Heaney and director of football Chris Webb.

They might not have been on the pitch, but they made every pass, got their foot in for every tackle, headed every ball. When the game ended they must have been more exhausted than the players.

Ever since City played their first match in the competition, Heaney has asked for football fans, of whatever club, to get behind Truro in the vase and they responded in their droves.

Chris Webb said it was not just a day for the players, but for everyone at the club, including the stewards, bar staff, tea ladies, everyone who contributed to the success of the day.

"It was a fantastic day all round," said Webb. "Everything went so smoothly, there were no hiccups at all. Even the FA officials were impressed with the organisation.

"But it's back to work tomorrow. We've got a game on Tuesday, Biddestone on Good Friday and the Cornwall Senior Cup Final against Liskeard on Easter Monday.

"To be honest, the enormity of it all hasn't really sunk in yet. When we were on the pitch in the middle of the celebrations I said to Kevin Heaney Do you realise what this club has achieved. Four years ago the club was bankrupt and now we are going to be playing at Wembley'.

"But that is all because of one man and his passion for football. I've been through the good times and the bad times and many were sceptical when Kevin Heaney baled out this club, but he has backed up his promises and has delivered in a way that many thought was impossible.

"Nobody could possibly know the debt of gratitude that Truro City Football Club owes to Kevin Heaney."

Speaking to the Packet on Monday Mr Heaney was still recovering from the jubilation. "I'm absolutely delighted. It's a tremendous achievement for Truro City to reach the final at Wembley," he said.

"It will only be the second official final to be held there. More than 500 teams entered the competition so it's brilliant for Truro City and Cornish football.

"I didn't expect success to come so quickly. We've done a lot of hard work behind the scenes, putting together a strong side on the field. We've got a clear plan to be a professional team within seven to ten years so to reach a national final after only two years is phenomenal.

"Getting to the final of a national competition, I believe, will put Cornwall firmly on the football map and everyone will see Truro City as the flag bearer for Cornish football."

The fans on Saturday were "absolutely amazing" he added.

"The atmosphere was incredible, like nothing I've ever experienced before and I've been to a lot of matches. I had tears of joy in my eyes at the end, it was amazing."

He said he had taken a huge number of telephone calls since the match from clubs and people asking about transport to and from Wembley and wanting to support the team.

"It would not surprise me if 30,000 people left Cornwall to support us at the final. After all, how many Cornish clubs will ever get the chance to play at Wembley?"