HEREFORD FC stalwart Rob Purdie was happy to retire from football last year – now he will be playing at Wembley.

The Bulls figurehead, who has amassed over 350 appearances for the Bulls after initially joining Hereford United in 2002, says he was not enjoying the beautiful game.

But after deciding to join Pete Beadle's team, Purdie has been part of a fairytale season that not even he could have dreamt of.

"If you had asked me last season where I was going in football, I would have been happy to retire," said Purdie.

"I just wasn't enjoying my football.

"But, if you ask me now, I am dying to get another season and another season after that.

"That is credit to Beads and the lads we have got here and the club.

"I said to the lads before the Salisbury game, it doesn't matter if you're 17 or 33 like me or 35 like Greeny [Ryan Green] – you might only get one chance.

"We have got out of step five now, so the FA Trophy next season will be a hell of a task to get the final because of the Conference teams that will be involved.

"So it is my last chance and it will be something to look back on."

Purdie – who will marry his partner Alice next year – has seen a number of his former clubs do well this season.

Leicester City, the club Purdie started his career at, won the Premier League, while Darlington were promoted to National League North.

Shrewsbury Town and Oldham Athletic also escaped relegation from League One, but it is at Edgar Street where Purdie feels at home.

And he wants to win the FA Vase this Sunday.

"It is very easy to say that we have over-achieved this season and, win or lose, it's a good day out," added Purdie.

"But I think, deep down, no player thinks that.

"We want to win at Wembley.

"I, personally, will be really down if we don't win.

"Ok, we have won the league and have won two cups, but you don't want to end the season on a downer and go to Wembley and lose a game.

"Everybody will be focussed 100 per cent that we've got to win the game."