Chelsea boss Emma Hayes with the FA Cup [Natalie Mincher/SPP]

“I’M still the kid in Camden that’s had an absolute ride of a time,” declared Emma Hayes at Wembley Stadium on Sunday after winning her 12th major title as Chelsea manager.

Hayes had just enjoyed the kind of day that she used to dream of as a youngster kicking a ball around her home patch on the Curnock Street Estate in Camden Town.

On a sun-drenched afternoon, a world record 77,390 fans had just watched a Sam Kerr goal secure the Women’s FA Cup title for the Blues against Manchester United.

That feat means that 46-year-old former Parliament Hill School pupil Hayes has now lifted the trophy five times on the hallowed Wembley turf – including the last three years in succession.

Hayes, who earned her first coaching award as a 15-year-old Parli schoolgirl, is still five FA Cup titles off the record set by her former boss Vic Akers, who she assisted for two years at Arsenal. But given the work she has done with Chelsea this season, it was clearly a moment to cherish.

“Our team has been in transition,” Hayes said. “We had six different players in the starting line-up to last year’s final. That for me is a sign of real progress.

“My big thing is, how can we keep winning while transitioning? To win knowing we’re in that stage, this is far and away my most memorable FA Cup final.”

Hayes, who worked in sports development in West Euston and the Bourne Estate as an ambitious 20-something, spoke of the sacrifices needed to be a top manager.

“When I have to sit at home alone and think about the work we do every day and the sacrifices we all make, I know I have given my life to it,” she said.

“I know in elite performance you can’t have work-life balance. No matter what, I have given everything I can to the team and the club.”

There is, however, still more for the manager to give, as the business end of the Women’s Super League is still to run its course.

Defending champions Chelsea were aiming to leapfrog Manchester United at the top of the table last night (Wednesday) with a visit to West Ham. Meanwhile Arsenal, still six points off the pace, were heading to mid-table Everton as we went to press.

That leaves this Sunday’s BBC televised lunchtime clash between Chelsea and Arsenal at Kingsmeadow before the final day of action on May 27.