Whitley Bay manager Ian Chandler believes that there isn’t any extra pressure on his players as the Northern League side chase a record fourth FA Vase win at Wembley against Leicestershire side Coalville on Sunday afternoon.

Whitley’s quest for a third successive and unprecedented Vase is the second leg of a north east Wembley weekend, as the region is well and truly placed on the non league map with Darlington playing there today in the FA Trophy final.

The Seahorses, who have missed out on promotion to the Evostik League on goal difference, have beaten Glossop 2-0 and Wroxham 6-1 in the last two years, but the Midland Alliance champions could represent the toughest final challenge yet.

Manager Ian Chandler, who also scored the winner in 2002, said: “I don’t think there’s any extra pressure on us to win for the third time in a row. People are talking about history, but we’re not really thinking about that. It’s fantastic that we’ve got through to the final again.

“I think the main feeling at the moment is one of excitement for the members of the team who will experience Wembley for the first time. The majority of our squad, players like Damon Robson, Lee Kerr and Paul Chow who have been to Wembley before, will help the others. I’m especially delighted for the players who have joined us since last summer, and that they have a chance to soak up the atmosphere of a special day.

“Some people point out that some players will be nervous if it’s their first time. Three or four of our players might be, but Coalville will have just as many, if not more.”

Whitley spluttered to the end of the Northern league season, missing out on second place after a run of 15 unbeaten matches put them in with a chance of the title.

“We seemed to run out of energy in a couple of matches, and we looked a shadow of ourselves. The good thing was, that there was a spy from Coalville at each of those matches! He probably went away wondering what to make of us. But we were back to our best in our last two league games against Benfield and Spennymoor.”

Striker Paul Chow, who has scored in every round so far, is now fully fit after recovering from a twisted ankle a month ago, while defender Steve Gibson passed a fitness test in training on Wednesday.