FC Halifax Town: Wembley winner a career highlight for McManus

The full back struck a superb shot on 48 minutes to clinch a 1-0 victory over Grimsby in the Shaymen’s first ever appearance at the national stadium.

He said: “It was unbelievable. I haven’t hit a sweeter strike in my career.”

McManus is predominantly a left-footed player and he said: “I don’t think I’ve ever kicked one off the floor before with my right foot.

“I don’t think anything will top this. Other than my two kids being born, it’s the best moment of my life.

“I’ve had people say ‘you’re going to score’ and ‘you should put a bet on it’ and my sister said I should do this or that celebration.

“It was unbelievable. I just lost all my emotions and I didn’t even know what I was doing.

“I just ran towards the fans and my family to celebrate in front of them.”

McManus was delighted to deliver the trophy for the Halifax supporters.

“I’m just happy for all the fans, who’ve had such a bad season, hopefully that will make it a bit better for them,” he said.

“Coming off the back of a bad season hopefully we can use this to push on now.

“We’re going to be in a different league next season and nothing’s going to change that.

“But I just hope this result makes the fans feel better.

“You could see how much it meant to them out there.

“The support was amazing. There’s a lot of folk there who maybe don’t come to the games regularly but the supporters are so good home and away.”

The full-back said Halifax were optimistic about their chances before the game.

“Obviously we lost 7-0 away to Grimsby but then we beat them 4-2 at home so we were confident,” he said.

“They had a few chances which went straight at our keeper, which was maybe a bit fortunate.

“But I thought we were just as good as them if not a little bit better.

“You ask any of their lads if they wanted to win the game, and they will have.

“Their season’s not ended how they’d have liked but I’m sure they’ll be happy with promotion.”

The defender is also upbeat about the injury which forced him off after he scored.

He added: “I put all my weight onto my left foot and tried to change direction and I just heard this crack, then I couldn’t put any pressure on it.

“Hopefully I’ll go for a scan and it’ll be all right.”