Chris Hargreaves, who scored the winner when Torquay won the Conference play-off final at Wembley 12 months ago, is urging his Oxford United teammates to seize the opportunity on Sunday.

The 38-year-old is one of those not sure of his place in Oxford’s squad for this year’s final against York City, with manager Chris Wilder expected to stick largely with the team and subs that did so well against Rushden in the semis.

But the experienced midfielder has been offering advice to his fellow U’s teammates on how to handle everything that goes with the big day.

And ‘Greavsie’, who has been very much a part of the squad in the build-up to the big day, is happy to pass on tips, especially to any of the younger players.

“It’s been disappointing not to have been playing lately,” he said. “On the other hand, it’s been great to be in and around the lads and the coaching staff, and helping in any way possible – just having a chat, relaxing the atmosphere a little bit,” he said.

Hargreaves feels his teammates will not be fazed by playing in front of a massive crowd at the national stadium.

“They’ve had a good test of it already in the semi-final with 11,000 here,” he said, speaking at the Kassam Stadium at United’s pre-Wembley press conference.

“I suppose if I was to give advice, it would be just to say ‘don’t think it’s anyone else’s time to do it – it’s your time’.

“Perhaps it won’t come around for the next five, six, maybe ten years. So seize the opportunity and don’t let someone else takes what’s yours.”

Hargreaves, who netted the first goal in Torquay’s 2-0 victory over Cambridge United at Wembley last year, said he had noted similarities in the build-ups of then and now.

“It’s the same type of atmosphere in the sense that it’s relaxed,” he said. “The manager’s handled it really well, taking the pressure off the lads no end.

“If you can just carry on what you’ve done throughout the season and stick to your game plan, I think that’s really important.”