THE stage is set for Swindon Town to shine at Wembley according to former player and two-time play-off final winner Dave Hockaday.

The 57-year-old was part of the Town team that made it through a three-game final against Gillingham in 1987 and was also an unused substitute in Ossie Ardiles’ side that beat Sunderland 1-0 at Wembley three years later.

Now Hockaday, a self-confessed Swindon fan after his 245 appearances for the club, believes Mark Cooper’s side have the best chance of making it back to the second tier of English football for the first time since the turn of the century.

“With Swindon on a big, beautiful playing surface, Mark can’t say anything but ‘this stage was meant for us. It has been prepared for us’,” he said.

“It was the same with Ossie. We didn’t care who we played or what surface. We were just going to run over them and that is what we did.

“The dice are loaded and I did say to Mark when MK Dons won on the last day - I said ‘Mark, I can say it, you can’t even think it, but I can’t see anybody stopping you because you are better than Sheffield United and I believe you’ll meet Preston and I can’t see -if you play like you can - Preston containing you’.

“I think Swindon will dominate proceedings.”

Hockaday was at the match on Monday where Swindon made hard work of seeing off Sheffield United despite having a four-goal aggregate advantage at one stage.

The former Forest Green Rovers and Leeds United boss has been in regular contact with Cooper over the course of the season and will be offering his support again if the Town boss should call on it.

“I was there the other night and from a coaching point of view, I found it unnecessary - sorry to disappoint people,” added Hockaday, who is urging supporters to make the trip to Wembley to support the team.

“But it was an incredible spectacle. Mark took a big gamble in the run-up. He has prepared in his own unique way and that has proven to pay off, so hats off to Mark.

“I talk to Mark quite often. If I can, I will try and pop in and see the staff and players in training and I will try and get involved as I can, but I am desperate for Mark to do well and Swindon Town to get back into the Championship, which is where I feel they belong.

“Cut me open and I’m a Swindon Town fan.

“They are one of the most entertaining teams I have ever seen.

“I would certainly recommend people to go to Wembley and watch a team play proper passing football on a great surface and I think it will be a great occasion.

“If they get their heads right, I can only see one winner.”