Vic Akers - I am so proud of our achievements
Leeds United 1-4 Arsenal
FA Women's Cup Final
City Ground
Monday, May 5, 2008, 1pm
on keeping belief...
"I really kept the belief that we would go on and get the goal that we needed. Obviously the goalkeeper's performance was outstanding. I came very close to signing her myself. But we done our job in the end, stuck to our task. I must say it was easy for me at half-time because I just said keep going as you are, play the way they knew they can."
on the match remaining a contest...
"In fairness I thought that it could have been any score going into the interval. The game was kept alive and I am pleased in some sense that was the case because it probably added to the crowd's excitement."
on the opponents...
"Leeds never gave up. Even when we beat them 5-0 a couple of years ago they still didn't. They keep chasing, keep hassling. So today it was really good for them that they got their goal and almost had a way back into the game."
on setting another record...
"That is three times in a row and we have now set the record of nine finals, and we have won all of them."
on the atmosphere...
"The atmosphere today was fantastic. I spoke with the gentleman from the FA who organised it and congratulated him. It has been marvellous for two years now. That, though, doesn't take away from the fact that I think the Women's Final should be at Wembley. They play all the big men's games so I think they should be able to host this major day into the calendar. That is not to take anything away from the people of Nottingham because they have had two good years and it is a quite an achievement to have got I the crowds they have done."
on only winning the 'Double'...
"No, it is not at all a disappointment. Being a realist I accept that after our achievement last season, it won't always happen for you like that. We went out of Europe early this year to a very good side and lost the League Cup too. People probably thought we were on our heels but we came back and won the League and now the FA Cup. This is the biggest day in the girls' calendar and the one that everyone wants to win for day and everything that revolves around it."
on gunning for Europe...
"Europe has never been top of my list. Don't get me wrong though, it was lovely to win it last year but I think its set up is marked toward teams not in our country; Scandinavian sides. They have a break midway through the season. It means they are rested and we obviously are not. It makes last year's feet all the more commendable."
on his feelings towards the Club...
"I am so proud of what we have achieved. For me to head it up after starting it in 1987 is fantastic. Today, [which might not have happened a few years ago] the club put buses on for all our families and the fans which is a lovely gesture and I hope everybody has had a good day."
[ Monday, May 05, 2008]
