Nottingham Forest favourite sends passionate 'heroes' message ahead of Wembley showdown

Nottingham Forest fans’ favourite Michael Dawson says securing promotion to the Premier League would be “life-changing” for everyone at the club.

And he has urged his former teammates to seize their opportunity to be heroes at Wembley, when they face Huddersfield Town in the play-offs final on Sunday. They may never get a better chance to write their names into Reds folklore, according to the ex-defender.

Dawson knows what it takes to succeed in the Championship play-offs, having triumphed with Hull City in 2016. He also knows the difference being in the top-flight can make, from his time with the Tigers and Tottenham Hotspur.

A boyhood Forest fan, he came close to a top-six finish during his second spell at the club, when the team fell agonisingly short under Sabri Lamouchi two years ago. And he is eager for the Reds to end their long exile from the top tier.

"It's special. It really, really is,” the 38-year-old said of the play-offs final. "It's an opportunity to change their lives as players. And to get the club back to where it belongs, in my opinion.

“It's been 23 years out of the Premier League, which is way too long. The fans are amazing. It's a major football club which should be in the big-time.

"They have a chance to be heroes. That's what it comes down to.

"I've played in the play-offs final with Hull City, who had only been out of the league for a year and bounced straight back. But that relief and joy is one of the best days you will ever experience as a footballer.

"Some of the guys might not get a better moment in their careers than getting the chance to go play in the Premier League. It's life-changing, not just for the individual but for everyone at the club. I know what it'd be like for the staff as