Barmby's Wembley joy

Tigers veteran relishing return to home of football

By Chris Harvey   Last updated: 14th May 2008

Nick Barmby Dean Windass Joy Watford playoff 2nd leg

Nick Barmby celebrates his goal against Watford

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Hull City goalscorer Nick Barmby is relishing the prospect of going to Wembley with his home-town club after helping the Tigers to their Championship play-off victory over Watford.

Hull-born Barmby, who last played at Wembley during Kevin Keegan's last game in charge of England back in 2000, scored the vital equaliser on the night as City came from a goal down to beat the Hornets 4-1 and 6-1 on aggregate.

Now Barmby is ready to return as part of the Tigers' first visit to the home of football when they contest the play-off final with Bristol City on 24th May.

"It's fantastic. We have never done it before [played at Wembley]. We knew we had a tough job and Watford started well, but to get to Wembley is just superb for this football club."

The home side suffered from stage fright early on and fell behind to a Darius Henderson strike but their nerves were eased when Barmby bundled the ball in just before half-time. The Tigers then ran out easy winners thanks to late goals from Caleb Folan, Richard Garcia and Nathan Doyle.

"It does not matter who scores, but it was fantastic to score and get us back into it," said the former Spurs star. "We got a bit jittery but it just settled us down."

Now Barmby is ready to pit his wits against Gary Johnson's Bristol City.

"It's just amazing. I went [to Wembley] in 1980 with the rugby clubs, Hull and Rovers [for the rugby league Challenge Cup final], but we know we are in for a difficult game with Bristol City.

"The first job is done and hopefully it will be a good game and we will come out on top."