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'Stuff of dreams' as Hull City depart for Wembley

Jasmine LoweIn Hull
News imageJasmine Lowe/BBC Lewie Coyle standing in front of other players on the platform at Hull Station. He has short dark hair and a beard and wears a black and amber Hull City T-shirtJasmine Lowe/BBC
Hull-born captain Lewie Coyle says he will be proud to lead the team out at Wembley

Hull City players have taken the train to London ahead of the Championship play-off final against Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Club captain Lewie Coyle described reaching the showpiece match as "amazing for the city".

The Hull-born defender said he would be "very proud of leading the lads out at Wembley".

"We're going down there two days before, soak it all up and then full preparations ahead of the game."

The winners of the final, dubbed the richest in football, will secure a place in the Premier League.

"It's stuff we dream of as a kid, especially with my hometown club," Coyle said.

"But to share this one with my family, obviously all my family will be there, my partner, my little boy."

He said his late father Chris Coyle, who ran a fruit and veg stall in the city, would "be looking down on me."

News imageJasmine Lowe/BBC John Egan who has short black hair and is wearing a black Hull City T-shirt stands on the platform at Hull stationJasmine Lowe/BBC
John Egan says the players have not been distracted by "Spygate"

City were originally due to face Southampton in the play-off final, but the south coast side were kicked out of the competition after admitting spying on their semi-final opponents Middlesbrough.

Centre-back John Egan said uncertainty about who the Tigers would be playing had not affected the team's preparation.

"We've done our bit, we've had a really good season, came through a really tough semi-final and all our eyes have been on the football match.

"Obviously things have changed, things have happened that probably shouldn't happen in football, but we're looking forward to the game now and we want to go out there Saturday and put on a performance and get this club to the Premier League."

News imageJasmine Lowe / BBC Oliver McBurnie who has red hair and beard and is wearing a black Hull City top stands in front of the London train Jasmine Lowe / BBC
Oli McBurnie is planning to follow his pre-match rituals

Striker Oli McBurnie said he would stick to his pre-match rituals, including wearing the same clothes and watch to every game, to bring good luck.

"I'm probably the most superstitious person ever," he said. "If we win, I'll always stay the same. If we lose, I'll always change."

The Scotland international said he was excited at the thought of playing at Wembley.

"There's no real anxiety, there's no nervousness," he added.

"It's just more excitement to get down there. It's feels like it's been a couple of weeks since we played the last game.

"So I just can't wait to get down there."

The match kicks off at 15:30 BST on Saturday 23 May and there will be full coverage on BBC Radio Humberside from 14:00 BST.

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