RITCHIE Humphreys has paid tribute to his team-mates as they prepare for the biggest day of their football lives.

Hartlepool United face Sheffield Wednesday at the Millennium Stadium a week tomorrow with a place in the Coca-Cola Championship up for grabs.

It's thanks to Humphreys' successful sudden-death spot-kick that Pool reached their first final.

But while the former Wednesday player grabbed the headlines, he saluted the players who have formed the most successful team in the club's history.

"At the start of extra time we regrouped and said that as a bunch of lads and as a team this might be our only chance of getting to the final,'' he said.

"We know each other's character inside out, we know people will put their bodies on the line for the cause.

"We know we didn't play well at Tranmere, no-one can say otherwise. But we got a little bit stronger in extra-time and massive credit to the back four because they were superb.

"The win was for the fans as well, they deserve it. There's 12 days between the games and that is when the excitement builds, when they are getting tickets and the like.

"We are going to Cardiff to play a big club like Sheffield Wednesday who will take thousands - we will take our thousands I'm sure - and it's going to be a tremendous occasion.''

Three years after his spot-kick stayed out of the Cheltenham net and dumped Pool out of the play-offs, Humphreys finally got the chance to exorcise his demons.

His kick beat John Achterburg to secure a final berth and he admitted: "It's been a joke with the lads now for three season after I messed up at Cheltenham and I've known since that day where I was going to put my next one.

"It was always in my mind where to put it. The keeper went the right way and I think he might have got a hand to it, but I can't remember much else - apart from the lads charging down the pitch at me.

"It's the sweetest moment of my career. Both teams worked ever so hard and when it comes down to one kick, it's harsh.''

Humphreys started his career at Hillsborough, where he burst on to the scene in 1996 before resurrecting his career at Pool.

But he isn't fazed about facing his home-town club on the grandest stage in British football.

He said: "A lot might be made by the media of me playing against my old club, but lots of players face their former club week in, week out.

"I've had four fantastic years here. Playing every week is what every footballer wants and to be brought into a dressing room like we have has made me feel very privileged.

"I've been captain when Micky (Barron) has been out and it's a proud moment every time I have been, but a lot of lads have played their part all season.

"It's been a long, hard road but we have one chance to make the Championship.

"I've never been to the stadium before. I've been outside it when I was on loan at Cardiff a few years ago, but that's about it.

"I'm looking forward to going there as much as anyone.

"We said before the Bournemouth game that it has been a tremendous season for us all. Beating Tranmere made it better and now we aim to go one step further.''

* Former Pool boss Neale Cooper is expected to be confirmed as the new Gillingham manager this morning.

A press conference has been called for 10am at the Priestfield Stadium, where Cooper is set to be named as Stan Ternant's successor.

Cooper will have current Gills' No 2 Ronnie Jepson as his assistant.

Former Watford boss Ray Lewington withdrew his application, clearing the way for Cooper to secure a swift return to football.

TICKET SALES: Pool have sold almost 10,000 tickets for next Sunday's play-off final in less than 24 hours.

After contracting out ticket sales for the biggest day in the club's history, fans have wasted no time in snapping them up.

Pool have been allocated 22,500 for the game with Sheffield Wednesday at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium and they are available at www.seetickets.com or by telephoning 0870 060 1030.

"It was a big decision to use an outside agency for sales, but we feel justified judging by the amount sold already,'' said a Pool spokesman.

"As a club and business, we simply couldn't sell them that quickly.

"Sheffield Wednesday fans have been queuing at Hillsborough for anything up to seven hours each day for tickets. We are confident security measures will ensure no Wednesday fans will be able to buy them for our sections.''

Tickets are priced at £50, £52, £34 and £26 with half-price concessions available.

Read more about Hartlepool here.