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Ricardo Santos described his “proudest moment” after lifting the Papa Johns Trophy with Wanderers.
Ian Evatt’s Wembley conquering side swept Plymouth Argyle aside with a commanding performance in front of more than 79,000 fans.
Just as they had against Torquay United in 1989 – the last time they lifted a domestic knockout trophy – Bolton had four different goal-scorers on the day: Kyle Dempsey, Dion Charles, Elias Kachunga and Gethin Jones.
Captain, Santos, and the squad had trained at Premier League Brentford on Friday, and walked around the Wembley pitch on Saturday afternoon to help calm any matchday nerves.
He reckons the preparations were perfect, and helped pave the way for a memorable day.
“I don’t know how to put it into words,” he said, “No one would have thought we would come and beat Plymouth 4-0. It could have been a few more.
“It was a special day for the club and myself. I want to thank the fans for turning up in such great numbers as usual.
“We came on Saturday to look round but the gaffer said: ‘No phones on Sunday, straight down to business. We did that.
“We knew it was over but we won the trophy. That is all that matters.
“It could have gone two ways but we are going to take a lot of confidence from this result “We took a lot of confidence from Sheff Wednesday and we started to see the same patterns. We played them off the park.
“It hasn’t sunk in but when I look at pictures and videos it will do. It was an amazing feeling.
“Not once in my career did I think I would be here at Wembley lifting a trophy. It maybe the Papa John’s Trophy but it is a trophy.
“I am proud of all the boys and it is special day for the club.”
Wanderers have little time to absorb their glorious Wembley win, and will be back on the road this week to face Exeter City on Good Friday, resuming their chase for a play-off spot.
Santos wants a return trip to the national stadium, and hopes he can celebrate an even bigger victory in May.
“We have had a taste of Wembley now and we would like to come back here,” he said. “We will enjoy it but from Tuesday we will focus on the league and hopefully we can push on.
“Exeter is a decent stadium but it is a tough place to go. They have picked up some results but after this the boys will be buzzing and we know we can get something there.”
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