as a lifelong supporter of Oxford United, and just two years short of my 60th birthday, you’d have thought I’d have learnt not to get too excited or over-optimistic about the U’s play-off final at Wembley, this Sunday. Wrong!

I have been on the Oxford Mail website and watching the days minutes and seconds idle by on the ‘Countdown’ counter, and for myself – and many, many other U’s supporters – it cannot come quick enough.

I was fortunate enough to have been at the 1986 Milk Cup Final at Wembley, along with more than 30,000 OUFC supporters, and barely a day goes by when I don’t replay moments in my head of that incredible occasion.

However, I strongly believe that the BSP play-off final on Sunday could prove to be a match of far greater significance for Oxford United and its long suffering supporters.

We have had many so-called ‘must win’ matches during the long and arduous season just completed – but none more so than our forthcoming match against York City. And the reward for the victorious team – a place in the Football League’s Division Two – will ensure a tense and nervy 90-plus minutes.

Manager Chris Wilder has done a remarkable job in building us a team to be proud of in the relatively short time he’s been at the helm. And I have no doubt he will be keeping the players’ feet firmly on the ground, and preparing for the match just as professionally and efficiently as he has done since being in charge.

There will be one match, with tens of thousands of U’s fans forming a sea of yellow backing their team. but only one thing matters – winning!

Good luck to Chris Wilder and his team.

Alan Potter, Headington, Oxford