"I'm desperate to give the fans that win at home"
David Noble is excited about the prospect of leading his team out in front of a bumper crowd on Non League Day and delivering that first home win as manager of the Stones.
Noble has won two games on the road, plus the switched FA Trophy tie at Hendon, and came agonisingly close to beating high-riding Aldershot at The Vale in his first official game in charge. He feels three points at the Stones' ground in Ruislip is just around the corner.
"I feel it's close," he said ahead of the 3pm kick-off with Kidderminster Harriers. "We should have won my first game in charge against Aldershot. We were 3-2 up, should have gone 4-2 up but then we went down to 10 men and then nine men and ended up drawing. I look to win every game but there will be no better time than Saturday, given where the two clubs are, the size of the likely crowd and given the support the fans have showed me and the team. I'm desperate to give the fans that win at home. They've been great with me and my staff from day one."
On Kidderminster
"I've been watching their games and they are a team playing for their manager. They've had a turnaround since Phil [Brown] has gone in there. They are organised, big physically and we are expecting a tough game. They've got one or two talented players we need to keep an eye on."
On going up against Phil Brown
"Any manager who has Premier Leagues games under their belt deserves massive respect. He's had a great career and is clearly getting a tune out of this team. I never thought when I was first starting out as a manager I'd come up against someone like Phil so soon but I'm looking forward to pitting my wits against him tactically and showing what my team is about."
On fellow former homegrown player Arsenal player Jay Emmanuel Thomas
"I don't know him personally as he was after my time at Arsenal but my assistant Neil Banfield does. Everybody knows what a good career he's had in the game – and he's still having a good career now at 33. He's at the other end of his career and is still dangerous."
On significance of Non League Day
"I know from my time at St Albans what a big day in the calendar it is. So many at this club and other clubs put in so much effort around a day like this and it's great clubs get a bump in the crowd. It's a big day for everyone and it will be great to see so many fans when we walk out the tunnel just before 3pm. We will hopefully attract a few people from the area for the game and they adopt us as their second team. We hope they have a great day and we will do our best to give them something to shout about."
On the Wealdstone fans
"They make The Vale such an intimidating place to play and I love the atmosphere they create. I love having a chat with them in the bar after the game. They've been so positive and hopefully we can a beer after a win on Saturday. Myself, my players and the staff understand how big this game is. They all are. I'd love to do that walk down the slope at full time, in front of the fans, with a win."
This is such a crucial game for the Stones and with significant reductions to ticket prices for Non-League Day, we are expecting a big crowd at The Vale. Premier League and EFL Season Ticket holders can purchase a Concession Ticket for just £5, ONLINE ONLY. Ticket holders for the England v Brazil international match at Wembley later tomorrow evening can also purchase a Concession Ticket for just £5, ONLINE ONLY.
Secure your tickets HERE!