Aylesbury hero and FA Cup winner Emmerson Boyce’s sister said the Wigan Athletic star has put the town on the map for a good reason.
The former Aylesbury United player captained the Latics to a 1-0 win over Man City and Wembley Stadium becoming the first Aylesbury boy to ever lift the famous trophy.
And sister, Stephanie Boyce, who attended the game with more than 50 of the defender’s family and friends, said her brother was elated.
She said: “The euphoria still hasn’t worn off. He text me a couple hours afterwards and said ‘what a moment, what a moment’. That sums it up for him and to lift the cup, too.
“For Aylesbury it’s good to have something good come out of the town. Aylesbury gets a lot of bad press and it’s nice to see us on the map for something positive. Everyone has been so congratulatory.
“And for him his own personal achievements have been amazing. His little nephew has gone into school today (Monday) with his picture.”
Stephanie admitted she actually missed Ben Watson’s late winning goal as she glanced away to deal with her phone.
But she was immediately caught up in the celebrations.
“Everybody was jumping. We were hugging each other, there were tears,” she said.
“My cousin was jumping so much he smashed his phone. We were celebrating for the longest time.”
Despite having to hold out for a further few minutes, Boyce’s sister said she knew the cup was Wigan’s.
She added: “At that point we didn’t care. We felt they had clinched it there. I thought City had started getting a bit reckless and they were frustrated.
“All Em had to do was keep clearing the ball.”
And the former Quarrendon School (now Aylesbury Vale Academy) did just that as he threw himself at every ball in the closing exchanges to seal a famous upset.
Stephanie said the family would hold a party for Boyce if they can but that they would have one either way.
Wigan’s focus now turns to trying to stay in the Premier League starting with the trip to Arsenal on Tuesday night.
