Daily Mirror

THIS ONE IS FOR YOU , DAD

My father was my hero and my inspiratio­n.. he died a year ago but I know his spirit will be with me at Wembley says Rochdale manager KEITH HILL

- BY DAVID ANDERSON

KEITH HILL says he will feel his late dad’s spirit when he leads Rochdale out at Wembley tonight. Sunday was the first anniversar­y of the death of Hill’s dad, also called Keith, and he still feels his loss keenly. Hill revealed his dad was his inspiratio­n throughout his career and he was on the bench for Dale’s last trip to Wembley for the 2008 League Two play-off final against Stockport (left). He claims he will feel his presence tonight and that the glamour Cup replay is his tribute to him.

“My dad died 12 months ago and Sunday was the first anniversar­y,” said the Dale boss. “He has been a constant inspiratio­n and motivation for me. He’s been my hero as far back as I can remember.

“He would stand there watching me play in all weathers. We had some great times together.

“I remember signing as a pro and my dad was there. I still have the photo. The last time we were at Wembley he was on the bench, so that was good.

“Wembley will certainly be a tip of the hat to my dad because I know he will be there.”

Hill, 48, watched his sixyear-old son Sidney play football in the freezing cold on Sunday and he will be a mascot tonight to continue the family’s associatio­n with Wembley. “It’s come full circle,” said Hill. “My dad used to watch me and I was doing it on Sunday with my boy Sidney.

“That’s what you go through as a parent.

“He’s a mascot. He won’t be on the bench because he messes about too much!”

Typical of the down-toearth Hill, he won’t be wearing a flash suit on the touchline at Wembley.

The Dale legend, who was

It’s come full circle.. My dad used to watch me and I was watching my boy Sidney on Sunday. It’s what you go through as a parent

born in Bolton, is proud of his Northern working-class roots and will dress down as usual, complete with flat cap.

“Suits are for funerals and weddings, it’s as simple as that!” he said. “I’m not embarrasse­d about being Keith Hill.

“I’m pretty comfortabl­e in my own type of suit. I’m very proud of the way my family have brought me up.

“I like being Keith Hill, and not anybody else.”

Hill knows the occasion may get to his players and has told them to focus on playing Tottenham. He will let them take selfies, but will demand total concentrat­ion when the teamsheets are handed out 75 minutes before kick-off.

“We’re playing Tottenham, not Wembley,” he said. “We have to play the game, not the occasion.

“I want my players to be relaxed and to enjoy it.

“But once the teamsheets come out, it will be about focusing on the game and thinking about our jobs, individual­ly and collective­ly.

“Yes, it’s a dream to play at Wembley, but for me it’s an even bigger one to win there.”

 ??  ?? DELIGHT FOR DALE Steve Davies’s last-gasp equaliser earned Keith Hill (left) and Rochdale an emotional trip to Wembley
DELIGHT FOR DALE Steve Davies’s last-gasp equaliser earned Keith Hill (left) and Rochdale an emotional trip to Wembley
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