Wednesday at Wembley: Savour every moment, ex-Owl Ritchie Humphreys tells Carvalhal's current stars

Former Owl Ritchie Humphreys has told Carlos Carvalhal's current crop of Wednesday stars to savour every moment of tomorrow's Championship Play-Off final at Wembley.
Ritchie HumphreysRitchie Humphreys
Ritchie Humphreys

Sheffield-born Humphreys, the current PFA chairman, grew up as a Sheffield United fan but made over 60 appearances for Wednesday in the 1990s before a long spell at Hartlepool.

The 38-year-old, who has recently agreed a player-coach role at Chesterfield, will watch Wednesday's Premier League showdown against Hull City and told The Star: "I always think you should enjoy matches like this. Soak everything up and take them for what they are. That's because not many players get the chance to play in these kind of games, or at Wembley.

Humphreys, right, celebrates after scoring for WednesdayHumphreys, right, celebrates after scoring for Wednesday
Humphreys, right, celebrates after scoring for Wednesday
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"So you've got to go out there and enjoy it, everything that surrounds it. That's not to say that you shouldn't be focused on the game, though. I think that goes without saying and that's what the players will be doing. But these aren't just like any other game are they. Everyone involved knows that.

"It should be a great game, if you look at the two teams involved. Arguably, you could make a case for both. You don't get to a play-off final unless you are a good side. I suppose you could say they've both got different strengths to a degree.

"But, at the same time, they are both obviously well-rounded sides with some really good individuals within them. That's what makes it fascinating."

Humphreys played at Wembley in 2014 when Chesterfield lost in the final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy to Peterborough United, and added: "The first goal will be important because it sets the tone. But it won't necessarily decide it because, like I say, these are two good teams.

Humphreys, right, celebrates after scoring for WednesdayHumphreys, right, celebrates after scoring for Wednesday
Humphreys, right, celebrates after scoring for Wednesday
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"Hopefully, in the not too distant future, Sheffield will have two teams in the Premier League. The city could easily sustain it and it would be great for the city too. Think what a buzz that would be. It's a football city, just like places like Liverpool and Manchester. Obviously I played for Wednesday. I've got mates who follow them and mates who follow United too.

"If that could happen, it would be great for the whole area."