Hornchurch manager Mark Stimson feels his side are special - just like his Grays Athletic team that won back-to-back FA Trophies.

Grays had the likes Michael Kightly, Gary Hooper, Aaron McLean and Ashley Bayes, who went on to enjoy successful professional careers.

But Urchins boss Stimson feels his current squad has a similar feel to it as they’ve bagged a spot in the Trophy final where they will face Hereford on Saturday, May 22.

The four-time Trophy winner said: “This is something special, this group of people are a special group, and I've been fortunate enough to have a couple of other groups like it.

“My team at Grays were special, a lot of those players went on to play at extremely high levels, and even international football.

“They were full-time, so every day you see each other, and you get that bond in that environment. These guys are part-time but they are on par with the Grays boys in terms of togetherness.

“I’ve not experienced it in non-league football, part-time in that sense, due to the lack of time you get together but they are so close which is incredible.

“I’ve got six captains, I know there is only one in Lewwis Spence, but there is another six that I could pick tomorrow.”

The wait is now on to see the ticket allocation and how many will be allowed in at Wembley Stadium for the match.

“Like everyone at the club we’re just waiting to hear how many supporters we are allowed to take to Wembley," added Stimson.

"In the mean time we’re training away, knocking down the sessions as they say, and there is still a massive buzz around the club because of the fantastic day we’ve got to look forward to.

“There's lots of things to be done, sorting out tracksuits, and a few other exciting bits. Once we get the announcement of the ticket allocation that’s when the excitement really kicks in.”

Stimson denied they will play any friendlies as he doesn’t want to risk injuries ahead of the final.

“We haven’t done it previously and it’s worked out well. This time there is a longer gap between the games so it’s something we’re thinking about, but at the moment we’re not looking to play any friendlies, that could change," he said.

“At our training there is such a high tempo, and I don’t like the word friendly, as every game you go into it’s competitive whereas the training is just a little bit off that.

“We’re looking at some other opportunities like maybe training at a professional club’s facilities and I'm waiting to hear back about that.

“That will be good for the players to train at a real top-class facility.”

He added: “A player can get injured in training, but fingers crossed they don’t, and it’s less likely than it is in a match and I would be absolutely devastated for a player to get injured.”