Lee Richardson is one of the few members of staff at West Ham United to have a Play-Off final victory at Wembley on his résumé.
The energetic midfielder was part of the Blackburn Rovers side that beat Leicester City 1-0 in the 1992 Division Two Play-Off final, helping the Lancashire club gain promotion ahead of the first-ever Premier League season.
After starting both legs of the 5-4 aggregate semi-final victory over Derby County, Richardson came on as a substitute in the final. He told West Ham TV it remains a game he will never forget.
"It was the last Play-Off final before the Premiership began and I was at Blackburn Rovers and we played Leicester City," said Richardson. "I was actually dropped for the final but I did come on for Scott Sellars who had total body cramp which was quite amusing."
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A crowd of 68,147 was at Wembley that afternoon and Richardson recalls how special it was to be a part of such an important game. A Blackburn team managed by Kenny Dalglish and containing the likes of Kevin Moran, Colin Hendry and David May won promotion thanks to one-time West Ham striker Mike Newell's penalty.
"It was a great day and was the start of a good period in Blackburn's history. The atmosphere was fantastic it was one of the biggest crowds I've ever played in front of. Everyone played well and I was pleased to get on and make a contribution. "
Lee Richardson at Wembley in 1992 (front row, far right, looking down)
Richardson is hoping for further success at Wembley this Saturday when the Hammers take on Blackpool in the npower Championship Play-Off final. At just 23 when he featured as a player at Wembley, the former midfielder knows what a big occasion it can be for young players.
"It was special running out on that pitch. As a young player there is a danger you can be a bit in awe and the occasion can pass you by. You have to try and relish it and hopefully our players are experienced enough to do that."
Now, with an Honours Degree in Sports Psychology under his belt, Richardson is part of Big Sam's backroom staff and has played a key role in helping the squad get over any disappointment at missing out on automatic promotion. He said that winning on Saturday should be all that is in the players' minds.
"I think if you want to be a good footballing side you have to win big important matches. At some stage you have to win the big game to gain your objectives and that is the case for us on Saturday."
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