Brentford defender Harlee Dean may have fulfilled a boyhood dream on Sunday, but he will not forget the memory of defeat at Wembley.
The 21-year-old centre back scored his side’s only goal in a 2-1 League One play off final defeat to Yeovil Town that saw the Bees miss out on promotion to the Championship in heartbreaking fashion for the second time in less than a month.
Dean’s early second half strike had dragged Brentford back into the game having gone two goals down before half time, but his effort was not enough to inspire a dramatic comeback.
“No one has said a word in the changing room. Gutted, is the only word for it,” said the defender after watching the Glovers celebrate on the hallowed turf.
“Second half we battered them. We had massive chances. When we got the early goal I thought it was set up for us to get the equaliser.
Goal man: Harlee Dean celebrates his goal at Wembley that fulfilled a boyhood dream SP76364
“It is every boy’s dream to score at Wembley or even just to play there.
“But it doesn’t mean anything when you lose 2-1. No-one is going to remember my goal.
“It is nice to score and I’m sure I’ll look back at the end of my career and say I scored at Wembley.
“But at the same time we lost and I’ll look back and think I lost at Wembley too, which is the main thing.”
Boss Uwe Rosler’s men were denied an automatic promotion spot thanks to a 1-0 final day defeat to eventual champions Doncaster Rovers at Griffin Park, but had rallied to edge past Swindon Town and reach the final where they were denied once more.
But the former Southampton defender Dean insisted the experience is a good platform to launch an automatic promotion bid next season.
Heartbreak: The Bees players are down and out, while the Yeovil players start their celebrations SP76364
“We have had some massive set backs this season with the Doncaster game and now this,” he added.
“It seems every time we get up there we get knocked back down, but this stands us in good stead for next year.
“We are a young team and it is all about gaining experience. I’m sure there are some people,who have had a career, who would not have experienced what we have this season.
“We’ve got to be positive and get it out of our system in the summer and go again.
“The club is going in a good direction. Everything is all set up for the Championship, we just haven’t got there.
“We gave our heart and soul and all I can say to the supporters is to stick with us, because it has been a great season and we will do it again next year.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here