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Tranmere Rovers manager, John King – five times a Wembley finalist in a career both inside and out of the Football League – told Rovers boss Frank Northwood: “Enjoy yourselves, take it all in – and tell yourselves you’ll be back next year.”

Said Northwood: “I obviously might think that John is right.”

Rovers reported no injury worries for today’s FA Vase final against Guiseley, with Northwood sticking to the same 13 that took Rovers through the quarter and semi-finals.

Rovers, pre-match Berkshire hotel was alongside one being used by both Tranmere and Liverpool for big matches in the capital today.

Said Northwood: “We certainly rubbed shoulders with the best last night. Liverpool manager Graham Souness sent his players to bed early last night and we obviously did the same – although they are so excited about the big day that I don’t think they got much sleep.

“I am not making any predications other than it is going to be close. We’ll score as many goals as we can and hope it is more than them. The bookmakers make them 5-4 favourites with ourselves at 2-1. All I can say is I hope the result is 2-1 to us.”

Northwood sent a message to South Derbyshire fans unable to make the trip, saying: “Tell them we’ll be doing our best to bring the Vase back for them.”

Gresley striker Paul Acklam summed up the mood of the players when he said: “We are quietly confident. We had a word with Liverpool striker David Speedie last night and he took a Gresley rosette and said he would wear it today and think about us and wished us all the best.”

As part of their preparations for the match, Gresley enjoyed a VIP tour of Wembley stadium yesterday afternoon.

However, the players were not allowed to tread on the hallowed turf because late preparations to get the pitch in tip top condition for today’s game were still going on.