Steve Burr has an unfulfilled ambition to lead his team out at Wembley and wants to achieve that in the FA Trophy this season with Chester FC.
Burr was part of the Macclesfield Town side that reached the final in 1989 and although the Silkmen lost 1-0 to Telford United after extra time, he told The Chronicle the experience was unforgettable.
Chester remain in the FA Cup and host Barnsley in a replay on Tuesday but talk of that and a possible third round date with Middlesbrough is on hiatus until after the FA Trophy first round game at AFC Telford United on Saturday (3pm).
Burr said: “I was fortunate enough to get there as a player and it’s an ambition of mine to go back and lead my team out there and hopefully that can happen with Chester.
“It was fantastic going to Wembley but the result was ironic really because Macc hadn’t lost to Telford in a few seasons of us being together in the Conference.
“We always seemed to beat them but then in the final Telford got the better of us. I’m hoping that’s not a bad omen for this weekend but the experience will live with me forever.
“I will never forget the long walk onto the pitch and the size of the stadium around us because I felt about an inch tall.
“That’s the one disappointing for me about the new Wembley. They missed a trick moving the dressing rooms from behind that far end because the walk was very special
“Football people these days, or probably not football people, don’t understand that nostalgia and tradition.”
Chester welcome back Rhys Oates after the on-loan Barnsley forward was ineligible to face his parent club last weekend and he looks certain to replace Craig Hobson, who will be needed for the FA Cup rematch on Tuesday.
Josh O’Keefe and Peter Winn are still out but keeper Jon Worsnop, who has fractured two bones in his cheek, plans to wear a protective face mask so he can keep his place.
Chester have beaten Telford twice already this season and Liam Watson’s side are bottom of the table with just three wins in 24 league games.
Burr said: “I’m sure that Liam will be going all out to get a win and hoping it will lead to an improvement in the league.
“Telford pushed Bristol City very close at the weekend and we’ve already had two tough games with them so we know it’s going to be tough again on Saturday.
“We could not be in a better vein of form than we are and the buzz, spirit and atmosphere in the squad is as good as I have had anywhere, and I’ve been fortunate to have some very good ones.
“I have been proud of the lads all season and I see how hard they work day in, day out.
“It’s been a great run in the FA Cup and it’s been good financially, which will hopefully allow us to go and strengthen in January.
“Jon Worsnop made some great saves for us on Sunday and to think he was playing for most of the game with a broken cheekbone then I find that incredible.
“Jon is a one off and he’s a real character and he just wants to do as well as he can for the club, like all the lads.
“Some people think the Conference is all hustle, bustle and physical stuff, and there is some of that in our league, but Danny Wilson was very complimentary about us after the game on Sunday and that was very pleasing.”
