WEMBLEY hero Nigel Pepper has told York City’s players they are one win away from enjoying one of the best days in their life.

He also believes victory over Oxford United in Sunday’s Blue Square Premier final will see Martin Foyle’s men take their place in Bootham Crescent folklore.

Pepper was a member of the Minstermen team that won the third division play-off final against Crewe under the Twin Towers in 1993.

Now, the former Rotherham and Bradford City midfielder is hoping the class of 2010 can become only the second side in the club’s history to taste success at the national stadium.

Pepper revealed to The Press that he was unable to savour victory at the final whistle 17 years ago due to chronic fatigue.

His condition was later explained by the discovery that he was a diabetic, making his two-hour shift on the day and successful conversion in the penalty shoot-out all the more impressive.

But, although he might have been too tired to enjoy the post-match celebration, the proud Yorkshireman has never grown weary of his May 29 memories.

He said: “I felt absolutely shattered after the final and had been feeling ill at the end of games for some time. It had been put down to playing hard games, but I had blood tests a couple of weeks after Wembley and was diagnosed as diabetic.

“When I look back now, it obviously goes down as one of the best days in my life. I just wish I had felt healthier at the time, but I get more enjoyment out of it now than I did then.

“You never forget matches like Wembley and the win we had at Manchester United. Touch wood, the current York players will be able to enjoy the same feeling after Sunday’s game.

“Our team gets remembered a lot at the club, as do the 1955 FA Cup semi-final team and, if this side takes the club back into the Football League, they will be rated up there as well.

“Playing at Wembley is an achievement in itself but if you can look back after you’ve retired and say you won promotion at Wembley that’s a big achievement. It would be a monster of a day in all the players’ lives.”

Having disposed of play-off favourites Luton after a pair of 1-0 victories in the two-legged semi-final, Pepper is also confident that City can now overcome Oxford to end a six-year absence from the Football League.

He added: “It hurts to see the club in non-League football. We belong in the Football League and I think this team is capable of getting us there.

“I was scared of Luton because I think they are a better side than Stevenage who finished champions. But, if we can beat Luton twice, there is nothing to fear now.

“It will not be an easy game of course, but we should not be worried by Oxford. I know we can definitely beat them. York were the better team when they played them at Bootham Crescent and were unlucky not to win.”

Pepper’s biggest advice for City’s players ahead of Sunday’s match is to ignore the enormity of the occasion and focus on the game.

He feels that the presence of Michael Ingham, Ben Purkiss, David McGurk, Levi Mackin and Richard Brodie, from last season’s FA Trophy final side, will help in that respect while others likely to command starting places like Neil Barrett and Chris Carruthers have also played and won at new Wembley with Ebbsfleet and Bristol Rovers respectively.

Pepper said: “I hope they can treat it as just another game and enjoy the occasion after the final whistle goes when they have won promotion. You have to do a job first and then take everything in afterwards.

“It will help that York have played there before because you can’t be thinking about where you are when you go there. They shouldn’t be gawping at the stadium and crowd after last season so should be more able to concentrate on the game this time around.”

Pepper has attended all of City’s home games this season and will be travelling to Wembley with a group of seven friends.

He believes City will go into the final with ability in all departments but singled out one of the team’s unsung heroes for special praise, saying: “I think they have some good players. Richard Brodie is a threat going forward and I like Michael Rankine as a player – he gives you something different.

“Michael Gash also looked a fantastic buy at the start of the season even though he’s struggled a bit after his injury. I think the ’keeper’s also probably the best in the division.

“There are strengths throughout the team and Richard Brodie will always get the plaudits for his goals but York’s success has been built on being solid at the back and, if I was picking a Player of the Year, James Meredith would be head and shoulders above the other contenders. He looks different class to me.

“He was fantastic against Luton when he was up against a good player on the wing and handled him really well. He looked like a weak kid when he first came to the club but he’s grown in strength and matured into a good player.”

Pepper also believes a defender played a “massive” role during his success with City.

“We had a good side as is illustrated by what some of the players went on to achieve,” he pointed out. “But, if I was to single anybody out, I would give a special mention to Paul Stancliffe.

“He had been there and done it when he came to us and his legs were not quite what they used to be but he read the game so well. He was a fantastic player who drove the team on, especially those who played alongside him.

“Dean Kiely was obviously a great ’keeper as well and Andy McMillan was one of the best right-backs I had ever seen. If he had had a bit of nastiness about him, he would have played in the Premier League.”

Back in ’93, Pepper, Jon McCarthy, Paul Barnes, Tony Canham and Wayne Hall ensured City won the penalty shoot-out after Crewe’s Dave McKearney had cancelled out Gary Swann’s extra-time deadlock breaker for City.

Should history repeat itself and spot-kicks be required to decide the Minstermen’s destiny again, Pepper would expect the same outcome.

He said: “I’d imagine Richard Brodie, Michael Gash, Michael Rankine and Chris Carruthers would be more than confident enough in that situation. I don’t think we would be scratching around for volunteers and I’m sure quite a few hands would go up if it came to that but, if they apply themselves right, there will be no need for penalties.”

After leaving City in 1997, Pepper, now 42, went on to play for Bradford, Aberdeen, Southend, Scunthorpe and Barrow.

Since hanging up his boots eight years ago, he has studied for a teaching degree and is currently working with the City of York Council helping to rehabilitate young offenders and still enjoys successful results in his professional life.

“I find it rewarding,” he admitted. “You cannot stop them all from re-offending but, when you do, it’s an unbelievable feeling.”

Much like the one he still gets when reflecting on the end of City’s historic 1992/3 campaign.