Be strong and be brave – that is the message from Telford legend Antone Joseph as the class of 2009 go shooting for Wembley.

The Bucks were this afternoon hosting York City in an FA Trophy semi-final first leg, with the return fixture back at Kit Kat Crescent next Saturday.

Joseph reached three Trophy finals with the old Telford United in the 1980s and also skippered Kidderminster Harriers to a victory over Wycombe.

And the former tough-tackling midfielder insists the Bucks have to show their mettle, whatever the outcome of today’s semi-final first leg with York City.

“You have to be strong mentally and you have to have a strong will to win,” he said.

“I’ve played in semi-finals where we’ve not played so well in the first leg and then turned it around and others where we’ve been in control from the start.

“Whatever, you have to be a strong character and it’s not for the faint-hearted.

“It’s a massive occasion and a chance to get to Wembley. I was fortunate to get there four times because I played in teams with the right character and it was special every time.

“It’s a chance of a lifetime for those players now and now they have to take it.”

Joseph, a warehouse worker at Lyreco, is a less frequent visitor to the New Bucks Head these days – though the club retains a special place in his heart.

He even returned to help coach the side after the departure of former manager Bernard McNally in January 2006 and was at the game today along with the junior football team he coaches, Wrekin Bobcats.

“The club is still very important to me,” said Joseph. “I know it’s AFC Telford now but I still see it as the same club.

“I don’t go as often as I’d like but I’m as blast from the past and it’s a new era now.

“To get to Wembley would really put it on the map.”