FINGERNAILS chewed to the bone, butterflies in the stomach and the knowledge that the day will end in either jubilation or crushing disappointment.

Yes, the final weekend of the Football League season is almost here once again as nine months of blood, sweat and tears boil down to what happens in just 90 minutes.

A host of promotion and relegation issues are yet to be decided, with the Championship underlining its reputation as the most unpredictable of divisions, with the fate of no less than half the clubs yet to be decided ahead of Sunday's final round of fixtures.

League One may not be quite so congested, but it is certainly no less complicated, with the delay in dealing with Leeds United's points appeal meaning the promotion race remains effectively in limbo.

The fate of five Yorkshire clubs in English football's second and third tiers will be decided this weekend and one man who understands better than most the wide-ranging emotions that lie ahead is Chris Kamara.

The respected Sky Sports pundit has seen countless
last-day dramas from all manner of angles, as a player, manager, fan and broadcaster.

Twice when managing Bradford City, the Middlesbrough-born 49-year-old went into the final game of a season knowing his side needed the three points, either to keep a promotion dream alive or banish the threat of relegation.

It means he has a clear insight into what will be going through the minds of Phil Brown, Brian Laws, Kevin Blackwell, Sean O'Driscoll and Gary McAllister ahead of this weekend.

Kamara said: "I went through the full range of emotions on those two final days with Bradford – from confident to fragile, worried and nervous.

"Sometimes, a manager will just get a feeling it is going to be his team's day. I was like that (in 1997) when we had to beat QPR at Valley Parade to stay in the First Division.

"The big result had come three days earlier when we beat Charlton to move out of the bottom three, but a draw would have meant we could still go down.

"But, on the morning of the game, I looked at the players and just knew we would do it.

"I saw such a real sense of determination that I knew would see off QPR.

"The last day is always a dramatic time when all sorts of things can happen. The year before that win against QPR, we had to go to Hull needing a win to get into the (Second Division) play-offs.

"There was a pitch invasion that day and it ended up working in our favour because the game was held up as a result. It meant we finished after everyone else, so we knew we needed another goal.

"We kept pushing and Carl Shutt scored to make it 3-2. We finished sixth and a few weeks later won promotion at Wembley."

Hull City are the Yorkshire side chasing the biggest prize, automatic promotion to the top flight and a cash boost of £60m, but the tension felt by Sheffield United and Wednesday this Sunday as they chase a play-off spot and survival respectively will be no different.

Kamara, a Football League ambassador, said: "Wednesday's fate is in their own hands and a win against Norwich, who apart from it being Dion Dublin's last ever game have little to play for, will do it.

"Unfortunately for Sheffield United, it seems they will just run out of games because they need too many results to go their way, while Hull also need favours from elsewhere.

"But even if it is the play-offs for Phil Brown's men, I am sure they will still feel confident after an impressive season."

Switching to League One, Kamara, whose pinpoint right-wing cross on the final day of the 1989-90 season created the goal by Lee Chapman that clinched Leeds's promotion back to the top flight, said: "No matter what the outcome of the points appeal, Gary McAllister has done a fine job, with the signing of Dougie Freedman being a masterstroke.

"As for Doncaster, they are in a great position – pending Leeds's appeal obviously – knowing that a win will mean they finish second.

"Sean O'Driscoll may not be one to promote either himself or the club, and that is maybe why he doesn't get the credit he deserves at times.

"But if Doncaster do finish the job this weekend and win promotion, then that will surely change because it would be a tremendous achievement for the club."


HULL CITY


Ex-manager
Terry Dolan (1991-1997)

Manager Phil Brown has put together a fine squad and there is no reason why they can't go up, even if it is via the play-offs. I would love to be at Ipswich but, unfortunately, I am working at Liverpool (v Manchester City as a referee's assessor). But I will keep up to date with how it is going. I still live in the area and it would be wonderful to see the club get to the Premier League. Plus, it would be great for me as I could work at some of their home games next season!

Fan's view
Ray Teal, Hull

Automatic promotion is definitely still on. People see Stoke v Leicester as a foregone conclusion, but it is still a tough game. Leicester are fighting for their lives, knowing that if Southampton get a point on the last day they could go down. We have a tough game at Ipswich, but I would rate our chances of going up on Sunday as '60-40' in our favour. If it ends up with us in the play-offs, I still think we can do it. We have shown we are capable of recovering from a setback.

Yorkshire Post Verdict:
Richard Sutcliffe

On Sunday, Hull go into a final game with their fate undecided for the first time since 1983-84 when the club missed out on promotion from the Third Division. Will it be similar disappointment this time around? Logic suggests so, with Stoke requiring a point and the Tigers needing to win at a ground where the hosts have lost just once all season.

Despite that, Hull look well equipped on form and ability to go on and win promotion at Wembley.