THIS week marks 20 years since Taunton Town won the FA Vase at Villa Park.
The Peacocks defeated Berkhamsted Town 2-1 in the final on Sunday, May 6, 2001, to end their long wait to get their hands on the trophy.
They had made it to the Vase final in 1994, but lost to Diss Town, and had been chasing redemption in the competition - contested by Non-League clubs from across England - ever since.
Manager Russell Musker engineered their return to the big stage in the 2000/01 season, and goals from Derek Fields and Ellis Laight earned Taunton the silverware.
The match at Villa Park attracted a crowd of 8,439, and Taunton’s population turned out in big numbers to welcome their heroes back home.
READ MORE: How the Vase was won - at last!
There was an open top bus parade the following Tuesday, and a civic reception hosted by the town’s mayor at the time, Cllr Tony Floyd.
The club chairman, Tom Harris, said: “It was a smashing welcome and one which the players and manager appreciated very much.
“We set out to win the Vase at the beginning of the season and it has been a tough job.
“But we’ve done it for the first time and I’m a very proud man indeed.”
PARADE: The Taunton Town open top bus
Cllr Floyd said: “You can have individual stars but team spirit must come through in the end.
“Whenever I read a report of Taunton Town it always talks of the way they work as a team.”
Having won that national competition, Taunton gained promotion from the Western League to the Southern League two seasons later (2002/03), and they now have their sights set on reaching the National League.
SUPPORT: Taunton Town fans at Villa Park
PEACOCKS VETERANS: George, Sue and Bob Staple enjoying their day out at Villa Park
TROPHY: Taunton's goalscorers in the final, Ellis Laight (left) and Derek Fields (right), with manager Russell Musker and the FA Vase
WELL DONE DAD: Taunton captain Paul West with the trophy - and his daughters Ellie (4) and Hattie (3) - before the bus parade
BIG TURNOUT: Fans gather for the bus parade through Taunton
FLYING THE FLAG: Taunton fans outside the Municipal Buildings in Taunton
CIVIC RECEPTION: Tom Harris, Russell Musker and Cllr Tony Floyd
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