Karl Duguid will run out at Cheltenham Town tonight reminding his Colchester United team-mates that a Millennium Stadium final can be more than just a dream.
Duguid trod the hallowed Wembley turf as a member of the U's squad that took Carlisle to penalties in the 1997 final of the Auto Windscreen Shield now named the LDV Vans Trophy.
Karl Duguid (left) reminds the U's players that a Millennium Stadium final is more than a pipe dream Picture: ROB SAMBROOK
And after losing heavily (4-1) at Cheltenham in the first round last year, the popular U's utility player - the only member of that final team still playing at Layer Road - is determined to steer clear of a repeat at Whaddon Road tonight.
Duguid said: "This is more than just another cup competition.
"It's a good one for the lower clubs to get to a final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
"As a player lucky enough to have gone all the way to Wembley in the competition, I will be reminding my team-mates that the final is only six more games away.
"I was only 18-years-old when I played there and everything passes you by so quickly that you don't have time to take it all in.
"To get to a Wembley final twice before I was 20, as I did in the Third Division Play-off Final 12 months later, was unbelievable.
"They are the kind of occasions you never forget."
Alan White and Kem Izzet will both miss tonight's game through injury.
Published Tuesday October 14, 2003
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