SCOTT EYES FINAL FLING

Taylor driven by Wembley dream

SCOTT TAYLOR was a starry-eyed kid in a black and white wig the last time that Hull won the Challenge Cup.

Now the 25-year-old prop is living out his dreams and on the verge of copying his former heroes.

He’s already won the cup, with tonight’s semi-final opponents Wigan in 2013, but Taylor claims that getting to Wembley with his hometown club would top it.

Special

He said: “I was sat in the stand at Cardiff in 2005, with an FC shirt and wearing a black and white wig, stood on top of the seats with my mum.

“Winning the cup with Wigan was massive but going with Hull, with all my family who are big Hull FC fans, would be even more special. ® I never thought I’d make it as a professional. I’ve been lucky but worked hard to be where I am.”

Taylor joined his beloved local club this season, after spells at rivals Hull KR, Wigan and Salford, and says he’d happily stay for the rest of his career.

Fans regularly chant, “He’s one of our own,” and England hopeful Taylor admits it makes him more determined to make Hull succeed.

He said: “The fans have got right behind me and when they sing that it means everything to me and my family.

“It sends shivers down my back and there is no prouder man than me to wear that shirt every week.”

Hull haven’t won anything since 2005, while Wigan have claimed six trophies in the same period. But Hull coach Lee Radford insists his men won’t be psyched out. “Past disappointments or glories play no part at all in this game,” he said. “We have never won at Wembley, as I get reminded frequently by Rovers fans, so it would be satisfying to put that right.” Radford is facing a selection headache over who to leave out but Wigan have a raft of injuries to key men. Warriors coach Shaun Wane (left) said: “We know it is a big challenge, they have no injuries and are playing well. “But we know what is at stake because getting to Wembley means a lot to this club and we need to want it more than Hull do.”