LIAM Watts always thought he'd get to Wembley with Hull FC, he just didn't expect his big day out to come so soon.
Signed from neighbours Hull KR during last season, Watts was sold the opportunity at Hull of being part of a young side that could contend for honours for many years.
The sales pitch by owner Adam Pearson and coach Peter Gentle was one to captivate Watts and he still holds that genuine belief regarding the potential of Gentle's Hull side.
Potential is all Hull currently have and, given the average age of the Black and Whites, Watts says his immediate ambitions were initially built around hope rather than expectation.
"When I first spoke to Hull about signing here, Adam Pearson and Peter Gentle talked to me about the club's desire to be winning trophies, that's why I came here," Watts told the Mail.
"I still see this as my first proper year and to be going to Wembley already and having a chance to win a trophy is a very big deal.
"The average age of this side is around 23 or 24 and with such a young side I admit I thought it may take us another year or two to mature and be contending for trophies.
"But here we are already and that is exciting for right now and for the future."
Watts has never been to the new Wembley, with his lasting memory of the old stadium being a trip with his father to watch Leeds beat London in 1999.
For a nine-year-old it was an eye-opening experience and one Watts still remembers clearly.
He adds: "I went down with my dad on the train to the last-ever cup final at the old Wembley when Leeds beat London.
"It was a big day out for me as a kid, getting the chance to ride around on the tube. The fact it was the last final at the old stadium made it special too.
"I've not been to the new Wembley yet and it is going to be a big experience for me going back."
Handling that experience will be crucial, not just for Watts but the rest of his side.
While Hull's back division boasts plenty of inexperience and youth, the forwards can at least boast hardened campaigners like Mark O'Meley, Gareth Ellis, Danny Tickle and Richard Whiting.
Still, the likes of Watts, Jay Pitts and Chris Green have never experienced anything like this game or the pressures that come with it. How that trio and Hull's young backs handle the occasion will be key to the chances of the Black and Whites, and Watts is well aware of that fact.
"At times, it will be intimidating playing in front of a crowd that big," he explains.
"I think a few of our players will feel like that because we are a young side and a lot of players have never experienced anything like that. It is going to be the biggest game of my career and the same for a lot of players.
"It is nerve-wracking to think of it. I have had to pinch myself quite a few times to see if I am really going to Wembley. I don't think it will sink in until I get there on the day and we get ready to kick-off.
"It's going to be special. I've sold 38 tickets to family and friends, so I have a huge support going down to watch me and that means a lot."
Organising tickets and making plans for family and friends to be at the game is all part of the big build-up for the players.
But Watts says despite a few distractions, the cup hasn't dominated his mind.
"We haven't spoken too much about the final until this week because we have had a run of must-win games in Super League," he added.
"That's probably been a good thing for us, having to focus so much on winning in the league. The final has been at the back of everyone's minds and that's taken some pressure off."
