Doncaster Rovers are off to Cardiff this weekend and one man who can't wait is Graeme Lee. The Donny skipper, known as 'Spike', will lead his side out at the Millennium stadium on April fools day in the final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, determined that he will have the last laugh having missed out on a final appearance once before. Givemefootball's Lawrie Madden caught up with him as he prepared to make the trip to South Wales for the weekend clash with Bristol Rovers.
Q:HOW MUCH DOES THIS FINAL MEAN TO YOU?
A:It means a lot to me. I know it's a cliché but I'm over the moon. It's my first ever big final and I can't wait for the day. It's going to be amazing.
Q:ALL THE MORE SPECIAL BECAUSE YOU MISSED OUT WITH SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, I GUESS?
A:Yes, I was at Wednesday and was struggling during the play-offs with a groin injury. I was told I needed an operation which would keep me out of the final against Hartlepool and I was devastated. I had played for Hartlepool and come from the north east so that would have been special playing against my former club. I tried to show that I was pleased for the lads but in the back of my mind I was gutted at missing out.
Q:WHAT DO YOU THINK IT WILL BE LIKE WALKING OUT IN FRONT OF 60,000 FANS?
A:It's going to be a very proud moment for me to lead the team out as captain, as I've never done that in such a big match. I felt proud leading them out in our new stadium recently, but I feel this will be extra special and something I can tell my kids and hopefully grandkids about one day.
Q:THE FINAL HAS CERTAINLY CAPTURED THE IMAGINATION OF THE DONNY PUBLIC?
A:I was told there was going to be at least 25,000 turning up to support us, although the last I heard our allocation had been sold out. If that is the case there could be 30,000 or more. Yorkshire has a lot of football followers so hopefully we may get some of the Sheffield Wednesday fans coming down to cheer me on the day. Bristol Rovers have sold 38,000, as you would expect being so close, so it will be some atmosphere on the day.
Q:WERE YOU BOTHERED WHICH BRISTOL CLUB REACHED THE FINAL?
A:We knew that it was going to be tough regardless of who got through. I was hoping it would be Rovers as they are in the league below us but on the day you never know. Paul Heffernan is our star striker but he's suffering with an ankle injury and will be sorely missed if he doesn't make the final. Maybe Jason Price can make an impact for us as he's doing really well at the moment and is capable of scoring goals.
Q:HOW'S LIFE AT YOUR NEW STADIUM?
A:It's absolutely fantastic and the facilities are second to none. When I think back to playing at Belle Vue it seems strange. It's what the club needed to do to progress. The pitch is much better and where we were getting 6,000 fans before, we have started getting 14,000 for some games. It's now averaging around 12,000 which is double what we used to get and it makes a big difference when they get behind us.
Q:OKAY SO TELL US ABOUT THE NICKNAME 'SPIKE'?
A:I was called 'Spike' due to my hairstyle when I was younger and it has stayed with me since. I also get stick for always playing Elton John's 'Your song' before every game. It's something I've always done. I also wear the same underpants, my lucky underpants. Let's hope they're lucky on Sunday.
