Reporter Alec Peachey joins the Ebbsfleet players and staff as they step onto the hallowed turf

Ebbsfleet United got their first taste of Wembley during a specially arranged media visit.

After arriving at Fleet’s home ground Stonebridge Road, a traditional old stadium with corrugated iron roofs, we made the 52-mile coach trip to get a behind the scenes look at the home of football.

After booking their place in the FA Trophy final last month, anticipation has been building ahead of the club’s first ever trip to Wembley on May 10 with Fleet already selling more than 15,000 tickets.

The day was set up as an opportunity to have a look around Wembley, photograph the trophy and interview some of the key names from both Ebbsfleet and Torquay.

Wembley Stadium was built at a total cost of around £800million, making it the most expensive sports stadium in the world.

A number of people have criticised the stadium’s cost, but after walking through the players tunnel and alongside the hallowed turf, you get a sense of what it must feel like to play in front of 90,000 people.

One person who thinks the stadium is worth every penny is Fleet manager Liam Daish.

Talking at pitch side, he said: “When the players see it I’ll be looking forward to seeing what their reactions are. It’ll be worth taking a camera just to take a few pictures of their faces.”

The former Republic of Ireland international admitted he was blown away by the facilities.

He added: “I’m usually falling over bags or putting my foot in a bucket because it is so tight in the changing rooms, but in there it is top notch.

“The country should have a stadium of this magnitude. It’s fantastic but will look even better when it is filled, the music is on and there is that adrenaline and buzz.”

The 39-year-old has played at Wembley twice but admits leading a side out as a manager will be a completely different experience.

He said: “It will be a different feel. I’m a lot older and sometimes when you are older you appreciate things a little bit more.

“I’ll be here with my family and will hopefully be walking out with my daughter. That means a lot. It will probably mean more to me now than it did as a player.”

It will also be an emotional day for club secretary Roly Edwards and interim chairman Brian Kilcullen.

Mr Kilcullen said: “I don’t normally show my emotions but I was nearly in tears after the Aldershot game.

“It brought home to me how pleased I was and I’m sure on the day I’ll have a lump in my throat.”

Mr Edwards has been club secretary for more than 10 years and is counting down the days until the final.

He said: “It’s the home of football and I can’t believe little old Ebbsfleet are going to be here in a few weeks time.

“This is something you dream of but you never really think it will happen. It’s a big achievement for a club like ours because we are still relatively small in the league.

“I’ll be so proud to see everyone brought together under one roof because of Ebbsfleet United Football Club. My first game was against Sunderland in 1964. I love the club and nothing will beat May 10.”

Captain Paul McCarthy has never played at Wembley before and added: “It’s an incredible stadium.

“People have criticised how much it cost but you only have to stand here and look around to realise it is money well spent. It’s probably the best stadium in the world.”

After the tour it was difficult to argue with McCarthy’s comments.

Wembley will always be known as the home of football and after arriving back at the humble surroundings of Stonebridge Road, Fleet will be going all out to bring the cup back to Kent.