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by Nicola Forman
A former Fulston Manor School pupil lived out every footballer’s dream when he played at the new Wembley Stadium.
Andy Drury, 25, walked out onto the hallowed turf in front of 27,000 people for his team Stevenage in the FA Trophy Final against York City on May 9.
The team walked away winners for the second time in the club’s history winning 2-0.
He said it was an “amazing experience”, one that he’ll never forget.
He joined Sittingbourne FC as a youngster and made his first team debut at just 17, scoring a goal in his first match against Newport IoW and went on to play 98 league games for the Brickies.
He left Sittingbourne in 2003 to join Gravesend in the Conference and then moved on for a successful spell at Lewes before being snatched up by Stevenage last summer.
Surreal
Andy, who still lives in Sittingbourne on the Sonora Fields estate, said: “Football has always been my life.
“Ever since I was at school, the first thing I’d do is come home and go out in the garden with the football or go straight to the park and kick the ball around. “I’ve been to the new Wembley a few times to watch games but this was the first time I’d played there.
“It was really surreal to be honest, it wasn’t until they played the national anthem that it really hit me I was playing at Wembley.”
The team were comfortable winners, with Andy setting up their first goal.
He was watched by about 40 of his friends and family who made the trip to London.
The team narrowly missed out on a second trip to the national stadium after Stevenage lost in the semi-finals of the play-offs.
He added: “I still want to do better, we will hopefully get promotion next year.”
Andy now has the summer off and plans to relax and enjoy his holiday to Las Vegas.