Shrewsbury legend Steve Cross hopes his absence will break Town's Wembley curse

The former midfield man has been to watch his team lose four times from four but, by missing a trip to the capital this time around, he hopes his absence proves some sort of lucky omen.

Cross is busy with a prior-arranged family get together, meaning the Montgomery Waters Meadow regular – who cheered Hurst’s men on both home and away in the play-off semi-final against Charlton – will have to make do with TV coverage.

“Unfortunately I can’t go,” said Cross. “I’m gutted, but my son Michael, who lives near Derbyshire – where he was born when I played there – he’s bringing his future mother-in-law up so I can’t say I’m away at Wembley! I’ll be watching on with baited breath.

“The result will set the tone yes, we might have to send the ladies out shopping in the town.

“They’ve got to break the curse some time and I think they’ve got a great chance, I really do.

“The one thing that worries me is Rotherham were the only team to bully Sadler and Toto. We have to hope they’ve learned their lesson.”

The 58-year-old reckons that Hurst’s side are in the driving seat after their – albeit disappointing – experience at Wembley last month.

He added: “I’m glad they lost against Lincoln. I was absolutely gutted for them at the time but now they’ve got that Wembley experience.

“Rotherham have not been for three or four years and not many of their players will have been there.

“I’m hoping the experience will help.

“The feeling stays with you a long time and I hope they come out all guns blazing.

“I lost at Wembley with Bristol Rovers and it stays with you for months. You’re still thinking about it at the start of next season.

“They’ll be thinking they don’t want it to happen again, they know how much is riding on it. Five or six did not turn up last time but this time they know it’s so important going forward.”

There is one person that Cross – and the entire Salop faithful – want to see sticking around the Meadow beyond this summer.

“He’s had a fantastic season, Hursty,” said Cross, who helped Town to the Division Three title in 1979 on the way to playing more than 200 league games.

“I really, really hope we can keep him and have a good season in the Championship.

“If we don’t win the vultures will be circling.”

Cross was part of many fine days at Gay Meadow but, watching on as a fan in the 180 extraordinary minutes home and away against Charlton, was right up there, he admitted.

“Fans remember nights like that,” he said of the first leg. “What a great occasion. It set us up for the home game – but 1-0 was still a dangerous scoreline.

“Lee Bowyer’s bubble had burst but take nothing away from the players.

“Days like that take you back to 79 – but to sit there and watch as a fan was even better. It was tremendous.

“It’s onwards and upwards for Shrewsbury if we win.

“I was hoping for Rotherham. They’re there for the taking.

“If we get nine of the 11 turn up we’ve got a great chance of winning the game.”