After Barrow AFC’s FA Trophy semi-final triumph against Salisbury City in March 2010, joint-manager Darren Sheridan had his eyes set on exorcising some Wembley demons.

Ten years previously, Sheridan was on the losing side under the Twin Towers in the Division Two play-off final when Wigan Athletic were defeated by two late Gillingham goals in extra time.

Sheridan said: “To get the chance to go to Wembley is amazing. It looks an unbelievable stadium. It’s going to be a great experience for the lads and a good day out.

“I played at the old Wembley for Wigan when we got beat by Gillingham. Now I can’t wait to go to the new one.”

For Sheridan’s co-boss Dave Bayliss, booking a place in the final against Stevenage was an opportunity to join Ray Wilkie’s winning team from 1990 as immortals in the club’s history.

Bayliss said: “There’s pictures of the 1990 lads on the walls at Holker Street and rightly so - they put Barrow on the map 20 years ago.

“Now it’s our chance to produce a bit of history. Fingers crossed we’ll beat Stevenage at Wembley and it’s us they’re all talking about for the next 20 years.”

AFC captain Paul Jones was in his second spell at the club and, 13 years on from making his first debut, he now had the chance to lead his team out at the national stadium.

“When you do hang your boots up and look back at your career, to have Wembley on your done list is something you want so I’m so happy to fulfil an ambition of getting to Wembley with Barrow,” Jones said.

Two-goal hero Jason Walker said: “Being local, I get all the congratulations walking round town but if you look in the dressing room they all wanted it as much as me - and we got it.”