Losing at Wembley is a horrible feeling that Darlington supporters have experienced twice and goalkeeper Sam Russell can empathise having suffered the same feeling - four times.

He might not have been with the club in either 1996 or 2000, when Quakers lost their two play-off finals, but he was in the stands as a Middlesbrough fan when they reached Wembley in the mid-1990s.

Russell was only seven when he witnessed his local club make their Wembley bow in the lesser-known Zenith Data Systems Trophy in 1990 against Chelsea.

He was there again in '97 and '98, for the FA Cup and the League Cup finals respectively, and since turning professional Russell has been there with Rochdale for a play-off final.

That was in 2008, but, typical of his Wembley luck, Russell was injured and had to sit in the stands.

After enjoying a campaign in which he has missed only three games, he takes to the field aiming for a win at Wembey at the fifth attempt.

He said: "This'll be the first time I've played at Wembley, if selected, so obviously I'm really excited. It's a massive buzz as a fan or player to go, it doesn't matter what the competition is, everyone wants to go to Wembley and I'm excited because my family and friends are going to see me play there and it's a big day out for all concerned.

"The FA gave us four tickets each for free and the rest had to be paid for so I've ordered about 25 tickets family and a few others who have jumped on board.

"It's a weekend out for everybody, but there's no point in going there for a day out when you're a player because we want to win.

"I went as a Boro fan to the old Wembley every time we got there and they were disappointing days. I was a big fan and travelled here, there and everywhere with my dad and my mates.

"The first time I went was in 1990 against Chelsea, I was about six or seven-years-old. I went against Leicester and Chelsea in the League Cup and FA Cup - we lost every time."

Russell joined Rochdale in 2007 at the end of his first spell with Darlington, but was a frustrated spectator as Keith Hill's side took to the field against Stockport.

Dale had beaten Quakers on penalties at the play-off semi-final stage, and Russell added: "I was injured and it was one of the worst feelings I've had in football.

"I had a broken finger which hadn't healed properly so had to be re-operated on. What was a five-week injury ended up keeping me out for the best part of three months.

"I thought I'd be alright and I'd try to prepare myself for it as I knew I wouldn't be involved, but when we pulled up at the ground in the bus I was thinking what am I doing here? It was really frustrating being there but not being a part of it. It was horrible, so a couple of drinks that night helped me forget about it."

After spending last season with Wrexham, Russell returned to the Arena a year ago and has been one of the squad's star performers.

The three matches he missed were at the end of the season and allowed Danzelle St Louis-Hamilton to make his mark.

St Louis-Hamilton, who celebrates his 21st birthday today, will be on the bench as Russell plays his 53rd match of the campaign, and he added: "I wanted to play in every game, but the manager needed to give other people a chance and he had one eye on Wembley so he gave me a rest.

"It was disappointing not to play in every game, but I think I played in the most games out of all the lads.

"It's been a long season because I've not played this many matches in a long while. This has been one of the first years that I've stayed fit the whole season for a long time, so I've enjoyed it.

"I just wish there'd been more at stake on the last league game of the season."

Unlike that 2008 play-off final, when Rochdale lost 3-2 to Stockport, there is no promotion at stake today. But having been on the losing side at the national stadium, Russell knows just how important winning is.

He said: "It was a great experience for the Rochdale players. We watched the game back later, we scored first and there was a massive buzz even watching the video, but at the end we got beat and you could see how disappointed everyone was.

"It was really disheartening and we don't want to come back for pre-season and the gaffer to put on a video of us losing at Wembley and us wondering what could've been.

"Nobody remembers the losers, I want a winners' medal and if I get one I'll be wearing it out in Boro on Saturday night!"