It is a very tight squeeze and you may of seen I gave up on my first attempt aswell
I fitted mine with the handbrake up and with the rubber surround still in position (I didn't want to remove it either). I found a fork with a flat rounded handle did the job of literally wedging the leather down between the handle and the console. Once it's started and you've got some of the leather in all the way round, it gets easier. Then it's just a case of fine tuning, pulling the handbrake on and off and wedging the gaitor until you're happy.
Good luck!
Thanks Ian,
I gave up pretty quickly and the champions league was coming on(wish I gave up on that as well)
Will get out with a fork tonight and hopefully have a bit more luck!!