James Shea admits playing at Wembley for Luton Town would mean “everything” as the club’s longest-serving player waits to discover whether he will start Sunday’s Vertu Trophy final.
The 34-year-old was an unused substitute when AFC Wimbledon beat Plymouth Argyle in the 2016 League Two play-off final, and then again in the Hatters’ Championship play-off final success against Coventry City in 2023.
This season, the goalkeeper has played in every round of the EFL Trophy and if he’s chosen to compete against Stockport County it would finally give him the chance to play at the national stadium at the third time of asking.
“I’m desperate to,” Shea said of the chance to play the final, adding: “I’d love to be playing. I’ve been to Wembley twice and never played, so I’m hoping it’s third time lucky, if I’m honest with you.”
The 34-year-old joined Luton in 2017 when the club were in League Two and has been part of one of the most dramatic rises in English football, climbing through the divisions all the way to the Premier League.
Though he’s played understudy in the league this season to first choice stopper Josh Keeley, looking back on his time at Kenilworth Road, Shea admitted the scale of that journey still surprises him.
“Yes, it’s been unbelievable,” he said. “I joined in League Two and if you would have said in League Two when I joined, this was going to be it, I’d have said ‘never in a million years!’
“But to go from League Two to the Prem was unbelievable. The last couple of years have been tough, don’t get me wrong, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. It’s been a rollercoaster.”
Despite his experience, Shea knows the decision over who starts the final rests with manager Jack Wilshere, who was an Arsenal youth team-mate when they both came through the Gunners’ academy.
“I’ve played every round so far,” Shea said. “I’m hoping to play. I’m sure Josh would love to play as well. So whatever the gaffer goes with, both of us will be backing each other.”
Even if he does get the nod, Shea insists he will treat the game like any other.
“You wouldn’t have to prepare any differently,” he said. “It’s just another game of football, if I’m honest with you. I know it’s not every day you get to play at Wembley, but at the end of the day it is just another game and the best team on the day will win.”
Shea was part of the squad that experienced the dramatic Championship play-off final victory over Coventry City in 2023, even though he watched the action from the bench.
He recalled the emotional toll of that day, when Luton secured promotion to the Premier League after a tense penalty shoot-out.
“I remember I’d done absolutely nothing — all I’d done was sit there — and I was so exhausted after the emotions,” he said.
“You’re thinking, ‘we’re going to the Prem’, then you’re thinking, ‘we’re not’, then it all changes again. Then it goes to penalties and it’s just the lottery.
“When that penalty went over it was just pure emotion. Pure joy. You just run. Nothing will ever compare to that day. It was absolutely incredible.”
More than 30,000 Luton supporters are expected to travel to Wembley for the final on Sunday, creating a wall of orange behind the Hatters. For Shea, the thought alone already gives him goosebumps.
“It’s incredible,” he said. “To take 30-odd thousand to Wembley — it’s going to be a fantastic day.
“It’d be fantastic to look around and see a sea of orange like it was in the play-off final. It gives you goosebumps thinking about it.
“I might be able to say I’ve completed the EFL if we were able to win it. It would be another thing to tick off, so hopefully we can do that on Sunday. Whatever happens it’s going to be a fantastic day.”
And if he does get the chance to walk out and start at Wembley for Luton after nine years at the club?
“Everything,” Shea said simply. “To be able to say I’ve played at Wembley would be fantastic.”
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