The man with the magic hat ... Rotherham United captain Richard Wood talks Wembley 2018 and 2022

It wasn’t just sung by thousands of Rotherham United voices at Wembley four years ago, it was also the message on a home-made banner put together by the Millers captain’s kids.

Young Jenson and Graye were in the crowd with mum Jade to see their dad score the two goals that won the League One Play-off Final 2-1 for Paul Warne’s side against Shrewsbury Town.

Richard Wood, who will get another taste of the national stadium in this Sunday’s Papa John’s Trophy Final, has been a pro for nearly 20 years but nothing comes close to matching the May 27 2018 Sunday afternoon when he became a legend in front of his sons.

“It’s the best experience I’ve had in my career,” the centre-half says. “The memories come flooding back whenever I see footage of it.

“At the time, it was just a bit of a blur. I remember certain bits in the game and my goals and my celebrations stand out.

“The aftermath went too quickly. I didn’t get to celebrate with the rest of the lads because I was doing TV interviews and all sorts. I couldn’t go round the pitch with them and I missed all the scenes in the dressing room as well.”

Wood’s warrior contribution in that 2017/18 campaign had led manager Warne to christen him ‘Wrecking Ball’ as well as fans coming up with a special song, and there was magic in the air when the day of the final dawned.

“We stayed at a lovely hotel called The Grove,” the 36-year-old says. “Everything about it was good. I remember feeling confident on the morning of the game.

“The way the second half of the season had gone, when we won a lot matches, made me think it was going to be our year. I was quite relaxed, although obviously I felt a bit of nerves.

“I like being like that, though. I love that big-game feeling. You have to relish the occasion, not worry about it. You have to enjoy everything that’s going on.”

Enjoy himself he did, heading a first-half opener and then steering in the extra-time winner before setting a new land-speed record for 30-somethings with his demented dash down the touchline to celebrate in front of his family.

Jenson and Graye are 13 and 11 respectively now and never spurn an opportunity for another viewing.

“I’ve seen the match back in full only once,” Wood grins. “The boys watch it, mind.

“Graye loves it. He goes to his nan’s and she’s got it stored on her TV. He could probably repeat word for word the commentary and my interview with Sky.”

What happened to the banner - which actually said 'Daddy Wood' - is lost in the mists of time but a corner of his garage at his home in a West Yorkshire village is home to other memorabilia.

Supporters wore magic hats and Wood was famously sporting one himself when he appeared in front of the cameras after the final whistle.

“I’ve still got it,” he says. “I’ve got my boots from the day as well, plus my shirt, my medal, a flag, the matchday programme and Jade’s and the boys’ tickets.

“I’m going to do something with it eventually and make it into some kind of display for the wall. You can do all sorts these days. I’ve seen frames with videos in where you just press a button and the action plays. I might do something like that with my goals. It will be something I do when I finish playing.

“I don’t know where it’s going to go. There’s no way Jade will let me have it up in a main room. She’ll have the final decision. It will end up in my office, I reckon; somewhere well out of the way.”

His hat was handed to him by a fan and came at a price the skipper has yet to pay.

“I met him in the players’ lounge after a match the other week,” Wood says. “He came up to me and jokingly said he wasn’t happy because I’d said that day that I’d give him one of my shirts.

“I can’t remember it but I have no reason to doubt it him. I promise I’m going to sort him one out.”

Warne had tried to join in the party as Wood sped towards his sons, proffering a hand for a high five only to be ignored by the hurtling flash of red and white.

“I shot past the bench and it looks like I purposely blanked him but I didn’t mean to,” the player says. “It’s become a running joke. I had no thought in my mind other than getting to my boys.

“People call me slow but I was pretty nippy on that run. When you score two goals at Wembley, you get an extra burst of speed! It doesn’t matter how tired you are, the adrenaline just takes over.”

Rotherham are pushing for League One promotion again this term and face Papa John’s opposition from a division below in Sutton United at the weekend.

That guarantees the Millers nothing, though, Wood warns.

“Probably our two hardest matches of the tournament have come against League Two sides,” he says.

“We beat Port Vale in a shoot-out at New York Stadium in the first knockout round and also needed penalties to see off Hartlepool United at their place in the semi-final.

“Sutton were a non-league side a year ago so this is a huge occasion for them. We have to match them for effort and then hopefully our quality will tell.

“We’ll be up for it as well. I’ve played nearly 600 games and, if I’m selected, this will be only my second one at Wembley. Going there is special for any player and none of us want come back up the M1 empty-handed.”

Whatever happens, it will do well to match events of 2018.

“The second goal was my favourite by a country mile,” Wood reflects. “It’s because it was the winner and I managed to share it with my children.

“It was a brilliant moment. I could see their faces and they were crying in a good way. They couldn’t control their emotions.

“It still chokes me up a little bit now when I see a replay. I can feel all the sensations I felt back then building up inside me. Their banner was pictured on Sky and Jade was on camera as well.”

Ah, the banner ...

The kids’ Amazon order for red crayons went in a fortnight ago, so expect version number two at Wembley on Sunday.