Wembley walk of honour at last for Jepson

Traditionally, the club chairman has the honour but Leeds's Paul Caddick has asked Jepson – one of the sport's greatest characters – to fulfil the proud duty a week on Saturday.

"It isn't often that I am, but I was literally lost for words," said the highly-respected Jepson, who has fulfilled a raft of roles since arriving at Headingley in 1970, including chairman, football director, and now ambassador.

With his customary wit, Jepson added: "I don't think there has ever been a nonagenarian lead a team out at Wembley; at least it illustrates there is no ageism at the club."

Remarkably, it will be his 65th consecutive Challenge Cup final and he watched his first in 1934, the fanatical 14-year-old cheering home Hunslet – where Jepson was born and raised – in their success over Widnes.

Selflessly involved in Hunslet Schools rugby league association for decades, he eventually became the club's secretary before making the difficult decision of switching to their fiercest rivals, Leeds.

He later became an inaugural member of the Rugby Football League board of directors and their president and – having also held that position with Yorkshire County RL and managed Great Britain Under 19s – his achievements in the game are too long to list.

However, the opportunity to lead Rhinos onto the famous playing surface is something which will rank alongside the most memorable.

"When I was football chairman at Leeds we never got to Wembley so I didn't have the opportunity," recalled Jepson, as avid a fan now as when he first started watching rugby league 83 years ago.

"The only final we did make, at Wigan for the 1984 John Player against Widnes, the weather was so bad that all the pre-match arrangements were cancelled so I never got to lead the team out which was very disappointing.

"To think that nearly 30 years later the chance would come again is astonishing."

Jepson added: "I had to seriously think about it, though, because I wouldn't want to do anything to harm the club.

"When I got the letter, it made my heart leap because it is such a generous thing to do but that is Paul all over and it typifies the club.

"At the moment, it is a quite remarkable place. There is such a feeling of togetherness – you can see it in the way Chris Clarkson, for example, has stepped in and established himself this year – and an acknowledgement of history and heritage. As Kevin Sinfield so eloquently said after last year's Grand Final success, every one of the players could go elsewhere for more money but none of them thinks of leaving."

Jepson was named president of Leeds in 2004, just a couple of months before they won the first of their four Super League titles and started the current golden period for the club.

However, they have not lifted the Challenge Cup since 1999 when they defeated London Broncos in the last final at the old Wembley.

"Fortunately, with the new Wembley not having that long, sweeping walk from the tunnel to the centre spot as in the old design, I won't have to go into training beforehand," joked Jepson.

"That was a long way. Then you walked up a ramp and at a certain point the whole noise, colour and heat hit you.

"That must have been some experience and then marching to the middle in full procession.

"Not having to do that doesn't bother me, it'll be a nice little stroll."

Never mind stroll, you would half expect the charismatic Jepson to dance all the way down.

He labelled the duty as a "tremendous honour" but it is hard to imagine a more deserving recipient; the new Wembley can truly continue its predecessor's boast as a 'Venue of Legends'.