I'm desperate to have a final say after missing my chance in 2004

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11 April 2012

Everyone remembers Millwall's FA Cup Final in 2004 but it was a bitter-sweet experience for me. Ever since I was a kid I had dreamed of being involved on FA Cup Final day, of putting on my suit and travelling on the bus to the stadium with the TV cameras on board.

I got to do all that but then I had to go and sit in the stands and watch the match against Manchester United as I had ruptured my cruciate knee ligaments six months before.

The memories have come flooding back this week as we prepare for our third-round clash at Dagenham and Redbridge tomorrow.

I was incredibly grateful to our then manager, Dennis Wise, for involving me as much as he did throughout our amazing run.

Not all managers would have been as inclusive as he was, making sure I was always a part of the team and constantly involved behind the scenes.

Little did I know when my knee went at Carrow Road in November 2003 that I would end up missing out on such a huge occasion.

Everything about our run that season was a dream. Critics said that we didn't come up against a top-flight team until the final but you can only beat who you are drawn against! There were so many moments when it could have gone wrong as we won away at both Telford and Tranmere on cold, wet nights that could easily have spelt the end of our dreams.

But eventually we made it through to the semi-final at Old Trafford, against Sunderland, which was just a fantastic day. I remember Tim Cahill scoring the winner and the Millwall end went wild, as did I! Then it was on to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

It would be tough to argue that we deserved to win as Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy were simply sensational in United's 3-0 victory but even getting there was wonderful for the club, especially as it got us into Europe for the following season.

I always try to look on the bright side. Of course I was devastated to miss out but I would like to think I gave the lads my full support throughout the run. And now I just use those memories as extra motivation.

Tomorrow's game is a no-win situation for us in many ways. We are two divisions above the Daggers so are expected to go through to the next round - and the FA Cup always throws up its fair share of shocks.

We will have to make sure that we aren't one of them. Victoria Road is a cracking little ground to play at and it will be very noisy but it's up to us to deal with that.

We know the rewards. A Championship team will be in the Carling Cup Final after Crystal Palace and Cardiff were drawn together, so why can't Millwall repeat their heroics of 2004?

It's going to be good to get back to normality after the hectic Festive period as well.

I love the games coming thick and fast - especially as we were at home on Boxing Day which meant I didn't have to spend most of Christmas Day in a hotel for the fourth year in a row.

We were hugely disappointed to lose at home to Crystal Palace and Tuesday's last-minute defeat at Bristol City was incredibly tough to take.

But now it's the FA Cup - and we're ready to write a new chapter in the club's history.

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