Doncaster Rovers v Stockport: Harry Clifton and Rovers plotting overdue Wembley return

The Doncaster Rovers midfielder - then a young player starting out at boyhood club Grimsby Town - was part of the Mariners' entourage who twice headed to the home of football in the space of seven days back in May 2016.

The first leg proved glorious as Town returned to the Football League after a six-year absence following victory over Forest Green Rovers in the National League promotion final.

A week later, the Mariners failed to secure a famous double, losing out 1-0 to FC Halifax Town in the FA Trophy showpiece.

On both occasions, Clifton - then just 17 - did not stride out for his hometown side on matchday and it's certainly whet his appetite to do so as Rovers seek to book their first Wembley date since 2008 in Tuesday night's EFL Trophy semi-final against Stockport County at the Eco-Power Stadium.

Clifton, who did play for Grimsby when they promoted again back to the league at West Ham's London Stadium in 2021-22, said: "I've been sort of part of it at Grimsby, but I didn't get on (at Wembley).

"So I've not actually physically played on the pitch, but I've been in and around it there a good few years ago now when Grimsby got there twice.

"I was only a young lad, 17 at the time, but I experienced going in and all in the suits and everything like that. But I didn't quite get on the grass, which is obviously something that every kid dreams of doing in their career and can look back on.

"But we're not there yet. We've got a big job to do on Tuesday to do that."

Rovers having banked £160,000 in prize money from their run in the competition, which has seen Grant McCann's side score 17 goals in six matches.

The Trophy has served the club well before - Doncaster won it in 2007 when they beat Bristol Rovers in the final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium - and in the present, McCann's side have plenty of motivation.

Beaten heavily against Cardiff City at the weekend, Rovers also have a score to settle with opponents Stockport, who registered a league double over the Yorkshire outfit in December.

Clifton added: "It's a competition we've obviously taken seriously and we've won a lot of games to get this far.

"I think we've played really well and scored some really good goals and there's been some good games. So we've come this far, why not go for it now?

"It's a massive thing that I think we've spoken about, even in the early rounds in the group stage, that we want to go through.

"It's a nice distraction. It's a competition I certainly want to go as far in.

"I've never played at Wembley. I'm pretty sure it's the same for a lot of the lads in there. So, yes, it's a massive game for us and we'll do whatever we can and give absolutely everything to get through to the final.

"You want to make marks in the club and being a player. We've got an opportunity on Tuesday night now."