York City v Oxford United: Brodie set to be the face of Wembley for York

That is the prospect facing Oxford United tomorrow at Wembley when Chris Wilder's men do battle with York City for a place in the Football League.

Brodie, the Minstermen's 37-goal striker, has become such a cult hero among supporters this season that a cut-out-and-keep mask has been created to be worn at the play-off final.

It means the two teams are likely to emerge from the tunnel ahead of kick-off to a sea of Brodie faces smiling back at them in the rebuilt national stadium.

Any Oxford defenders who did not go to sleep on the eve of the game thinking about York's lethal top scorer are certainly likely to be doing so come 5pm tomorrow afternoon.

The man himself finds the prospect amusing, if a little strange, and hopes the stunt can help settle any big-match nerves among his team-mates.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, Brodie said: "It is going to be strange to see my face staring back at me, that's for sure. I didn't know the masks were being made but I have since got about 25 and handed them out.

"It is a bit of fun and I think the big plus will be all the lads will have a laugh about it. I am sure a few of them have got hold of their own masks so will be taking the mickey by wearing them during the build-up."

Gateshead-born Brodie has enjoyed a stunning season with his 37 goals playing a huge part in firing York to Wembley for a second consecutive season.

It represents quite a turnaround in fortune for a striker who not so long ago was being jeered by a section of the Bootham Crescent crowd.

Having signed from Newcastle Benfield after impressing against York in an FA Cup tie, Brodie took a while to settle as a full-time professional – hence him falling out of favour with the fans, something that reached a nadir in 2007 when he was booed during a 6-0 victory over Rushall Olympic.

A loan spell at Barrow helped to lift his spirits but it took the arrival of Martin Foyle as manager late in 2008 to kick-start a career that, regardless of the result at Wembley tomorrow, seems destined for the Football League.

Brodie said: "I have enjoyed the season. There have been a couple of dips in form and a suspension or two, but otherwise all the hard work I have put in on the training pitch has paid off.

"The entire team has done really well and all the lads can be proud of what we have achieved.

"Now, it all comes down to one game. We fully respect Oxford but, deep down, we all feel fully prepared.

"We got to Wembley in the FA Trophy last year so it is brilliant to think we are going back again so soon.

"Hopefully, the experience of last year should help us as five or six of the lads played (against Stevenage). It means we know about the atmosphere and things like that.

"But we also have a better squad than this time last year with more experience. A lot of very good players won't even make the bench on Sunday."

If York are to return to the Football League after a six-year absence, they will have to beat an Oxford side equally determined to reclaim their place in League Two.

Wilder's side edged the two games in the regular season with a 2-1 win at the Kassam Stadium on the opening day being followed by a 1-1 draw at Bootham Crescent.

The two scorelines tell only a fraction of the tale, however, with York being outstanding in both encounters, though Brodie is at pains to stress that neither will have any bearing on tomorrow's final.

The striker, who netted in the defeat at Oxford, said: "The two performances against Oxford were probably two of our best. It was a freak result down there and we played so well at home but could only draw.

"As good as the performances were, though, I think form will go out of the window. It is a game between two very strong sides who play good football.

"It would be great to get York back in the Football League after six years. The club has had a few ups and downs in that time and it really should be in the League.

"Some of the lads have played there already and I think we would do well, just look at how a lot of the promoted clubs do once back in the League.

"Before that, though, we have to get there and no one is taking anything for granted."

Record crowd in line for final

YORK CITY'S match with Oxford United was last night edging ever closer to setting a new record crowd for a Conference play-off final.

Since the non-League game's showpiece occasion was moved to Wembley, the highest attendance was the 42,511 who saw Exeter City beat Cambridge United two years ago.

Last season, a gate of 35,089 witnessed Cambridge United again miss out as Torquay United clinched promotion back to the Football League.

And with Conference officials revealing to the Yorkshire Post that almost 40,000 tickets have been sold, the chances of a new record being set appear high.

Whether that proves to be the case remains to be seen but one factor that is not in doubt is that Oxford will be cheered on by a much bigger army of fans.

A Conference spokesman said: "I would envisage the split between Oxford and York fans being about four to one."

One man not concerned about the opposition's numerical superiority is City manager Martin Foyle.

He said: "Wembley is a great place to go and play, and the players will be very well supported. Everyone is looking forward to the day.

"Oxford may have more supporters on the day but that can also bring added pressure in the form of expectation."

York City v Oxford United

Team news: Martin Foyle has no fresh injury worries ahead of York's most important game in years as a return to the Football League beckons. Four of his likely starting line-up – Michael Rankine, James Meredith, Luke Graham and Alex Lawless – did not play at Wembley last season. They joined the Minstermen following the 2-0 FA Trophy final defeat to Stevenage Borough but York manager Foyle does not believe this lack of experience will be a problem.

Last six games: York City LWDLWW, Oxford United DWWLDW.

Referee: M Naylor (Sheffield).

Last time: York City 1 Oxford United 1; October 17, 2009; Conference.

SkyBet odds: York to win 7-4; Draw 9-4; Oxford to win 5-4.