Memories flood back as Aston faces former team-mate Powell

Former Great Britain centre Powell was the club’s first signing in 1984 and is still their record try-scorer.

Many of those touchdowns were created for him by the skill of Aston, the scrum-half who would later win the Lance Todd Trophy as Eagles stunned Wigan in the 1998 Challenge Cup final.

Tomorrow, though, Aston is in charge of Sheffield when, in a role of massive underdogs again, they take on Powell’s minor premiers Featherstone Rovers for the Championship Grand Final at Warrington.

Sheffield are the first club to reach the showpiece occasion from as low as fourth following an outstanding run of form which has seen them defeat Widnes, Leigh and Halifax,

Now Aston is looking to complete the fairytale and ruin Powell’s hopes for a second year running; last season Featherstone were edged by a Halifax ‘golden point’ in extra-time.

The duo, so influential in establishing the club and achieving Sheffield’s first major successes in the 1989 and 1992 Division Two Premiership finals, are both synonymous with the Eagles.

Aston told the Yorkshire Post: “I always knew Daryl would become a coach.

“He was a very smart footballer. We spent a lot of time together and travelled from Castleford to Sheffield five days a week to work in the community and train.

“Every minute of every day we’d be talking about the game. We were very much alike.

“I passed the ball, he’d run the lines and we had that understanding. People thought it was magic but it wasn’t – we simply practiced a lot and played together so much.

“It’s not about us now though. We had a lot of happy memories and what we’ve got now here at Sheffield is so much like what it was with me and Daryl in those early days – a really close-knit group of people.

“It’s their day – the players. Me and Daryl can talk about the past before and after, but the final is about my squad of players who have been outstanding this year.”

Aston added: “We’re massive underdogs and have been for the last four weeks.

“Nobody expects us to win apart from ourselves.

“This squad wanted to do a little bit better than last year when we got to the semis from sixth – we didn’t get the recognition for that either – and we’ve got to the final this year.

“They’re hungry for it. People will talk about it being like 1998 but I’m not bothered about that. We know can beat anyone on our day.”

Meanwhile, Keighley Cougars take on Workington Town in the Championship One Grand Final bidding for an immediate return after last year’s relegation, and Kippax Knights make their first appearance in the Rugby League Conference National Grand Final against Huddersfield Underbank Rangers, who have lost at Warrington in the previous two years.

n Castleford Tigers have signed Josh Griffin, 21, from Huddersfield Giants on a one-year deal and seen Richard Owen extend his contract at Wheldon Road until the end of 2015.

Former Bradford Bulls strength and conditioning coach Martin Clawson has joined Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.