HULL FC legend Peter Sterling says he is 'jealous and envious' of the club's current players as they prepare for a modern day version of 'the greatest Challenge Cup final'.
Sterling was part of the Black and Whites side which went down to a dramatic 28-24 loss to Wigan under Wembley's twin towers in 1985.
It was a game which is widely regarded as the competition's best ever final and, despite their defeat, an afternoon Sterling still describes as 'one of the best days of my life'.
Now, with a repeat clash set for August 24 following Hull's dramatic 16-12 semi-final win over Warrington on Sunday, Sterling admits he would love to turn back the clock and play in the clash himself.
"I am jealous and envious of the Hull players as they have the opportunity now to write themselves into club history by being the first side to win at Wembley," Sterling told the Mail.
"These chances don't come along many times in a career.
"I had a chance in the 1985 final against Wigan and unfortunately it passed me by. I would have loved to have gone back and had another shot at it, but it wasn't to be.
"To be the first side to achieve something like that for a special club like Hull FC would be absolutely tremendous.
"I'd compare it to when we won the Grand Final for Parramatta in 1981. We won other major honours after, but the first is very special. There can only ever be one side do something for the first time, and Hull's players have to see this as a great opportunity. It is a chance to make history, and I would love to be in the Hull players' position now."
Sterling and his team-mates certainly didn't go down without a fight on that historic day in FC history at the old national stadium.
Hull may not have claimed the cup, but Arthur Bunting's men came within a whisker of the greatest final fightbacks, as three tries in the final 16 minutes saw them claw back from 28-12 down to 28-24 with four minutes remaining.
Famed for his own personal battle with his Parramatta half-back partner Brett Kenny, the match is also long-remembered for its spectacular long-range tries and nail-biting conclusion.
Sterling says it is still a match people refer to today when meeting him, and he can understand why a repeat final between the two clubs in 2013 has already caused great excitement in the game.
"It is nice that people still talk about that game so fondly, and it is satisfying to have been involved in such a famous match," Sterling added.
"It was one of the greatest days of my life, but I would have much preferred the result to have been the other way around of course.
"I would have been happy for it to have been a poor game had we got the result and won the cup."
With a re-match against the Cherry and Whites now confirmed, many fans have already called for Sterling and his team-mates from the class of 85 to be in attendance at Wembley as special guests, along with counterparts from Wigan such as Kenny, who just edged Sterling out to the man-of-the-match award on the day.
With FC's place at Wembley only booked on Sunday, Sterling is still unsure whether work commitments as a commentator in the NRL will allow him to attend. But he says he will be doing all he can to shift his diary commitments around and be there cheering on the Black and Whites.
"I have to say I haven't had chance to look at my commitments to see whether I will be able to get over for the final, but I would love to be there and if there is any way of making it possible I will be," he said.
"To be at Wembley with the Hull fans and hear Old Faithful sounding out around the stadium would be truly spine-tingling.
"Hull have not been to Wembley many times since that 1985 final, so it will be a special day for all involved with the club I am sure."
