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A fantastic occasion

21/ 5/2008

SINCE that fateful day when Chris Turner watched his side embarrassingly crash 6-0 at Macclesfield Town to leave them rock bottom of the Football League, it has been a case of ‘the only way is up’ for the County boys from Edgeley Park.

And now, after two-and-a-half years, the success on the field under Hatters legend Jim Gannon culminates with Monday’s dream League Two derby play-off final against Rochdale.

A memorable shoot-out against Keith Hill’s side is in prospect, make no mistake about that.

Gannon said: "I’ve been telling my players all season that every goal and every game has been so important.

"Obviously it’s down to just the one game for promotion now, but what a fantastic occasion is in prospect, and what a stage it would be to secure promotion.

"There is going to be a lot of pomp and ceremony on Monday.

"I’m not big into all that, but I am looking forward to seeing the lads run out onto the pitch there while quietly moving to my place on the touchline.

"It’ll be a proud moment leading the team out into an arena full of tens of thousands of County and Rochdale fans.

"That will bring plenty of great memories for me I’m sure."

As many County fans will doubtless already be aware, Gannon already has plenty of Wembley memories to call upon, but unfortunately they are not all happy ones.

During his 10-year County playing career he played on the hallowed turf four times, but sadly lost out every time, twice in play-off finals [against Peterborough in 1992 and Burnley in 1994] and twice in Autoglass Trophy finals [against Stoke in 1992 and Port Vale 12 months later].

However, he did take plenty out of his Wembley experiences.

Gannon added: "What I achieved as a player is very much history now, it’s a long time ago.

"I enjoyed playing at Wembley, and as a club everyone at County learned from the experience despite the fact that we never enjoyed success ultimately in the play-offs.

"It did build great confidence and it helped us move up the divisions back then though, and I’m hoping that’s going to be the case for this current crop of players.

"They were all nice and calm when they returned for training on Tuesday, the lads haven’t been too giddy at all really.

"Some are still a bit tired after last week’s efforts, but I’m sure that as the week goes on we will all get a bit more excited. We’ll be ready for Monday."