TWO special guests will be joining Paolo Di Canio and his coaching staff at Wembley tomorrow.
Tea man Curly Withers and Roger Reeves, who helps out with the Robins’ junior sides, will sit in the dugout for the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final.
Withers, who was nominated for the Swindon Advertiser Unsung Hero award earlier this month, has served hot drinks for players and management at the County Ground for decades, and his work behind the scenes has not gone unnoticed by Di Canio.
“After the last cup round when we beat Barnet, I was cleaning up and Paolo was in the coaching room and he saw me go by. He came out and said, ‘Curly are you going home?’ and I said that I was,” explained Withers.
“He offered me a lift back but I insisted I was fine, but he called me into his office and he put his arm around me and said, ‘Curly is coming to Wembley. You are going to sit on the bench with me at Wembley.’ “It is such a big honour for me.”
It is not the first time that Withers has been able to enjoy such an experience at England’s national stadium, having been Danny Wilson’s special guest for the League One play-off final two years ago.
“I went before to the play-offs with Danny Wilson and it is such a great honour,” he continued.
“To think a person like me can go to Wembley like this, it is just amazing.
“Paolo keeps tell me that he can only do so much in getting the players ready, but he has always stressed that it is what the people do behind the scenes that matters. It is such a nice thing to say.”
Reeves, meanwhile, has been to all four of Town’s previous trips to Wembley, but this will be the first time he will experience pitchside.
“I was very surprised and it is a great honour,” he said.
“I was born in Swindon and I have been to Wembley every time they have played there and there have been some great memories.
“1969 stands out but the 1993 final was also very exciting. Obviously the last time was disappointing but I am looking forward to this one.
“At the end of the day, winning the league is the most important thing as that is more important long term.
“But we can enjoy this day out and to experience it with Paolo and his coaching staff will make it even more special.”
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