Bernard McNally: Playing at Wembley would be so special for Shrewsbury Town

But I think it’s fantastic Shrewsbury are now just one game away from Wembley after they made it through to the semi-finals of the Checkatrade Trophy.

I can understand why fans have opted to boycott the competition over the past two seasons.

But to me it doesn’t matter which way you get to the historic home of football – it is always a special occasion.

We all know the league is the priority. And we would all swap making the final of the Checkatrade Trophy if it meant playing at Wembley in the final of the play-offs.

But football doesn’t work like that. And I can assure you there will be plenty of Shrewsbury players who are now starting to dream about running out on to the hallowed turf.

I got to Wembley twice in my career. The first time was with Northern Ireland for a World Cup qualifier against England.

The second time was with Albion in 1993 when we beat Port Vale in the Second Division play-off final.

Both were fantastic occasions that have given memories I will never forget. I’ve got some wonderful pictures from each of the games.

And that’s what Wembley does, it gives players and supporters a fantastic day out as well as the chance to lift silverware.

I really hope Town can get there. It may not be the most important competition in the world but it becomes a lot more important the further you progress. And Paul Hurst will know that, in football, success breeds success.

He is determined to keep winning games to keep up the pressure on Blackburn and Wigan.

It’s not going to be easy to overhaul them in the race for automatic promotion. We can’t forget that a few years ago both these sides were in the Premier League.

But they are going to give it everything they have got. And what’s really pleasing is that both Stefan Payne and Carlton Morris have both been on the scoresheet in the past few games.

Payne ended a seven-game goal drought by netting in that Checkatrade Trophy win over Oldham on Tuesday, while Morris was on target in the draw with Doncaster last weekend. Both those players bring a lot to the team when they play. Payne always looks a threat.

And Morris’s hold-up play and work-rate is fantastic. But both know, as strikers, goals are their bread and butter.

Hopefully now both are feeling more confident heading into what is a really tough game at Portsmouth on Saturday.

Kenny Jackett’s side are also chasing promotion. But it will be fantastic if Shrewsbury can get another one of their 1-0 wins. If they can grab a goal and then shut up shop, it will be a nice reminder to Blackburn that they are not going to give up that second spot without a fight.