Stepping out onto Wembley’s hallowed turf usually conjures up all manner of nostalgic moments for any person lucky enough to have played there. So spare a thought for Brighton boss Micky Adams, whose only two experiences at the famous venue were hardly Roy of the Rovers stuff.
The ex-Premiership left back first played there back in 1987 at a centenary Football League tournament whilst a fledgling Leeds United player, only to get crocked after 14 minutes.
And then, five years later, he was part of a Southampton squad to make the Zenith Data Systems Cup final, only to miss out on a starting berth for his side.
So you can’t blame the gaffer for banning talk of the Seagulls playing at Wembley themselves, as they prepare for their two legged area final clash with Luton Town.
Adams hopes it will be a case of three times lucky as a manager, but is naturally refusing to get carried away about his team’s chances of winning the trophy, as he predicts an extreme test from the Hatters.
He said: “I haven’t had too much luck at Wembley as a player, so it would be lovely for a different experience come April.
“But to be honest, we are not looking that far ahead. We have got a huge test on our hands in the shape of Luton Town, and I know their manager Mick Harford will have their players fired up for the occasion.
“All four teams left in the competition are bound to start getting excited now, from the players, right through to the fans. “Obviously, getting so far in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy means we have been winning football matches, which is a great thing for everyone at the club.
“Our cup form this season has been impressive, and we are all aware of the importance of this competition. We want to go on and win it.”
Adams said that his players have the chance of writing their names in the history books by going to the next stage of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, particularly as the club looks forward to life at their new stadium in Falmer.
“The stadium has been a bit of a soap opera but at long last, work has begun, which is great for the fans. If you couple this with the prospect of an appearance in the final of a cup competition, then it is certainly exciting times for us all.”
Brighton host Luton at the Withdean Stadium on Tuesday (20), before travelling to Kenilworth Road for the second leg on Tuesday February 17.
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