The left back, who helped make history by winning the FA Vase at the first attempt last weekend, admits it has been a "Peter Pan story" for the Fylde club.

Keefe, Head of PE at Bowland High School, shrugged off a thigh problem to take his regular place in the starting line-up as Kirkham beat Lowestoft 2-1.

And he admitted it was a day that will never be forgotten: "It's a dream come true, as they say.

"We went down on Friday on the England team coach, and stayed an at unbelievable hotel, the Luton Hoo, where the Queen spent her wedding night.

"Then we trained at Bisham Abbey on Saturday, before getting ready for the game.

"And to win as we did was amazing.

"We celebrated on the pitch, and went to the Corinthian Club inside Wembley, where I met my wife and two boys, and it was nice to get pictures taken with them.

"But it was back to the hotel then for a celebration and presentation, and I finished third in the Player of the Year awards."

And the celebrations didn't end there, as Kirkham enjoyed an open-top bus ride through the packed streets of the town: "We got back to Kirkham at 6 p.m. on Monday for the civic reception, and none of the lads expected the reaction we received.

"There were thousands upon thousands of people on the streets, and that really was the icing on the cake.

"It was the first time really we could see what it all meant to the fans.

"We obviously saw them at the ground, but we were whisked in and out, and didn't realise how much the town had got into it.

"The weekend was just an amazing experience, I had 50-odd mates from Preston in the crowd with Keefe T-shirts, and it's just been, like the manager said, a Peter Pan story.

"You have to pinch yourself.

"But I'd like to thank Stephen Cox, the head at Bowland, who backed us all the way, and all my pupils.

"Hopefully I will be able to take the Vase into school to show them all!"

Keefe was touch and go for the final after tearing a thigh muscle as Kirkham sealed promotion to the Vodkat League First Division, and he said: "I was just really pleased to be playing.

"I tore my thigh muscle three weeks ago, and played a reserve game on the Tuesday.

"So I was just pleased to be picked, and it was always the plan to play for an hour.

"It was hard work, 95°C pitchside, with no wind, but the whole experience was unforgettable.

"One of the best parts was walking out and singing the national anthem, and I've done it now and no one can ever take that away.

"To have won the Vase as well just capped it all off.

"Parading the trophy on the pitch after making the walk up the steps to collect out medals was brilliant."

Kirkham had to rely on two goals in the last six minutes from super-sub Matt Walwyn, but it was a deserved win, as Keefe added: "They didn't create a clear-cut chance, the goal they came was a freak own goal, and we hit the post and bar, and had one cleared off the line.

"The manager said to keep playing, and we had no doubt we would go on and win it.

"At one point it looked like we wouldn't do it, but they were shattered at the end, and it was a fairytale for Matt to come off the bench and score twice."

It capped off a treble success for the side, who will be named AFC Fylde last season, as the former Darwen, Padiham, Fulwood Amateurs and Squires Gate defender pointed out: "To win promotion, the Vodkat League Second Division Trophy and the Vase has been incredible.

"But there is a great bunch of lads here, the majority have been together for a long time, and the club is ambitious.

"We wear 2022 on our sleeves, because that is when our chairman wants to be in the Football League, and why not?"