Former England ace and now West Ham coach Stuart Pearce has urged Hornchurch to not let the occasion get the better of them in the FA Trophy final.

The former England captain and caretaker manager visited Bridge Avenue to help inspire Mark Stimson’s Urchins ahead of their clash with National League North side Hereford at Wembley Stadium.

His biggest piece of advice was to treat it like any other match as the National stadium is extra special if they can come away as winners instead of just enjoying a day out.

“The big thing is don’t let the occasion get to you, that’s the big thing. They’ve been underdogs in a lot of the games they’ve had on the run in to Wembley,” said Pearce, who is an ambassador for Entain, owner of Ladbrokes and their multi-million pound investment programme, Pitching In.

“They’ll be underdogs potentially on the day as well, don’t get caught up with the occasion, as Wembley can be very sapping. I’m not talking about from a physical point of view, more from a psychological point of view and how it drains you a little bit.

“Make sure you concentrate on all the good things that got you to Wembley. It’s probably a cheap throwaway line but enjoy the occasion.

“I spoke with a few of the players and they’re desperate to win. They know full well you’re not going to Wembley for a day out and a photo opportunity. Wembley is all about coming away with the Trophy.

“It would be a massive achievement for this football club to do that.”

Pearce, who spent five seasons playing for Wealdstone in non-league football, knows how special this will be for the players and was keen to tell them to make the most of it.

“I know how big it is for clubs to go and win the Trophy, there is no better place to play your football than at Wembley, so all of those things in the mix it might well be the best day of their lives for a lot of these players.

“Going out and playing at Wembley, even if you're a professional footballer, where do you want to play your football, you want to play in major finals and as a non league player the Trophy is the major final.”

He added: “For these players to actually step out at Wembley and have the opportunity to win the Trophy you can tell the excitement.

“If you’re talking about preparation and being very difficult, they’ve had the toughest preparation of any team, the league being cancelled before Christmas and they’ve had to just tick over playing cup games.

“That isn’t easy and it’s a fairytale achievement in many ways.”