Image source, Getty Images

No, it's not a song by Bob Geldof and the lads, more a refrain from Sheffield United and Sunderland down the years of play-off campaigns.

First the bad news.

This is Sheffield United's fifth play-off final and they're yet to win one, in fact no side has played in more showpieces and failed to go up than the Blades.

Their last appearance came in the 2012 League One final when they contrived to lose 8-7 on penalties to Huddersfield and they haven't won a game in any competition at Wembley since the 1925 FA Cup final.

As for Sunderland, any play-off campaign invariably brings up memories of 1998 and the 4-4 draw with Charlton which led to a defeat on penalties when Sasa Ilic saved Michael Gray's effort.

It probably doesn't help Black Cats fans they then lost to the same opposition in the 2019 League One final.

They did 'win' promotion in 1990 even though they lost to Swindon when the Wiltshire side were later punished for financial irregularities

Just once have Sunderland negotiated the minefield and won promotion in their own right when beating Wycombe in 2022 - that's one win from eight attempts if you like keeping count.

Oh, and the good news? Well, one of these teams will break their curse today...

Image source, PA Media

Less than an hour to go!

How are the nerves?

Team news coming up shortly.

Molly Smith
BBC North East and Cumbria

Among those at Wembley is 98-year-old George Forester.

George is a familiar face at the Stadium of Light and was chairman of the Sunderland ers Association for 27 years.

He was also at the 1973 FA Cup final when Sunderland beat Leeds United, which George claims was the best game of his life.

Ex-Black Cats chairman Stewart Donald is looking after George and paying for the whole weekend.

Mandy Redford, George’s daughter, said: "Stewart has been incredible with my dad, I could not thank him enough for thinking about him as Sunderland is his life. This means the absolute world to him to be going to Wembley."

David Spereall
Reporter, BBC Yorkshire

Sheffield United fan Josh Chapman, who has been a season ticket holder for 20 years, says there is "excitement" and "a bit of trepidation" among Blades fans.

"No-one alive today has ever seen Sheffield United win at Wembley, but this is one occasion where our chances are a bit more odds-on," Josh says.

"Sunderland have an awful record at Wembley as well, so for one of us something has to give."

Sheffield United's last win at the national stadium was an FA Cup triumph in 1925, while Sunderland have won there just twice since their FA Cup win in 1973.

Molly Smith
BBC North East and Cumbria

Staff and residents at the Salvation Army Swan Lodge Life House have made their way down to the capital with hopes that the Black Cats will make it over the line today.

The Lodge takes part in the We Are Wearside flag display to pump up the pride at the Stadium of Light.

Staff member Andy Smith said: “It’s our time to be back in the Premier League. This final means so much to the city and to everyone.

"The opportunity to be a part of the flag display every home game means a lot to the residents. We're all Sunderland mad so being able to lift up the spirits every home game gets everyone excited.”

Adam Oxley
BBC Radio Sheffield

Image source, PA Media

This Championship play-off final will evoke a range of emotions, memories and shared experiences for anyone connected with Sheffield United, from the pitch and the dugout to the stands.

But one man will undoubtedly be in the minds of every Blade throughout the day.

Ever since his death sent shockwaves through football last October, former United player, Greek international and multi-promotion winner George Baldock has been at the heart of this season’s push for the Premier League.

Sheffield United has always prided itself on being a family club, on looking after its own, and that has come across loud and proud in the many and varied tributes made to Baldock, culminating with spine-tingling renditions of his ‘Starman’ song in the play-off semi-finals.

You’ll see the Greek flag at Wembley, you’ll hear George’s song and all Blades will feel his presence - a unifying force as the club bids for unprecedented play-off success.

Nick Barnes
BBC Newcastle's Sunderland commentator

It's eight years since Sunderland last graced the Premier League.

Sadly the next few saw them fall from grace, relegated from the Championship after just a season, followed by a four-year sojourn in League One.

The club hit a new low as they lost another play-off final to Charlton Athletic in 2019, cruelly with virtually the last kick of the game, then wallowed in the relative obscurity of League One for a further three years.

Image source, PA Media

The arrival of Alex Neil and the effect he had on the turnaround of the club cannot be overestimated. His tunnel vision and channelled focus on getting promotion in 2022 was a mood-changer.

Neil’s departure was fractious, but the arrival of Tony Mowbray heralded a new dawn. A sixth place finish in his first season restored belief in a changing club, but the second season back saw the club arguably weeks away from another relegation.

This season has been a revelation under the tutelage of the unflappable Regis Le Bris. Fans have been reignited by the ion on the pitch, culminating in that historic last minute - last second - goal from Dan Ballard in the semi-final.

David Spereall
Reporter, BBC Yorkshire

Image source, Mark Ansell/BBC

Jimmy Smith, from the Blades Ramble podcast, says he believes it may be Sheffield United's day, despite their 100-year-old Wembley jinx.

"It just feels different this time," he says. "I can’t quite put my finger on why, but it could be the Chris Wilder factor.

"He’s brought everyone back together again and it’s a really positive time to be a Blade at the moment."

Jimmy points to success for other teams this season as proof that unwanted records can be broken.

"With Newcastle winning the League Cup and Crystal Palace winning the FA Cup, it feels like it might be a year of change."

Adam Samuel
BBC Look North sports reporter

We’re just under two hours from kick off and Wembley Way already looks like one giant red and white orderly queue.

"Where’s the Sunderland fan zone please mate?" I just heard a fan ask.

"Follow the red smoke," the grinning security person replied.

Good vibes all around - and still no rain!

David Spereall
Reporter, BBC Yorkshire

Image source, Aaron Outram/BBC

Overlooked for the big job at the Vatican earlier this month, but Blades fans are clearly happy with the job Chris Wilder is doing at Bramall Lane in his second spell at the club.

After 100 years without a win at Wembley, you can forgive ers for hoping for a bit of divine intervention today.

There has been a mass exodus from Sunderland as fans boarded trains and coaches to head to London.

Trains travelling from the north east to the capital have been fully booked, with more than 40,000 Black Cats fans expected to descend on the city.

Some Sunderland barbers opened their doors early to help ensure everyone is looking their best for the match, while bakers have rebranded pink slices - a local favourite - in red and white.

Rob Staton
BBC Radio Sheffield

Image source, PA Media

A 100-year wait for a win at Wembley is a very long time.

Sheffield United haven’t won at the national stadium since a 1-0 victory against Cardiff in the 1925 FA Cup final.

This is also their 10th go at trying to go up through the play-offs - they are currently zero for nine.

The picture above shows former Blades keeper Steve Simonsen after he skied his spot kick in their 8-7 loss on penalties to Huddersfield Town in 2012's League One play-off final.

But this is a squad that has already broken trends.

Their win in the Steel City derby at Hillsborough in March - completing a first double over Sheffield Wednesday since 2006 - was a record-equalling sixth straight away win.

It hadn’t happened since 1893.

United have had a great season and there’s no reason why they can’t win this game.

David Spereall
Reporter, BBC News

Image source, Tony Donnellan

Three generations of the same Sheffield United-ing family have travelled all the way from Australia for today's match.

Tony Donnellan, 51, his 76-year-old dad Tom and 23-year-old son Jack landed at London Heathrow on Thursday.

Tom emigrated from South Yorkshire to Perth in 1982, taking then eight-year-old Tony with him.

Today will be the first time Tony has attended a Blades game since then, with Jack visiting the UK for the first time.

"We always said if we made it to a final at Wembley we'd come back for it," Tony says.

"My old man thought he'd missed the boat, but when we got to the final I told him to get packing."

Jim Scott
BBC North East & Cumbria

A mainstay of a Netflix documentary following Sunderland "will be looking proudly down" on his side at Wembley, his friend says.

Ian Wake, who regularly appeared in Sunderland 'Til I Die alongside Michelle Barraclough, died at the age of 62 in March 2023.

"It's not the same going to an away game without him, and it'll be the first time going to Wembley without him," says Michelle, from Silksworth, Sunderland.

"But he would be absolutely delighted and so, so proud of these young lads."

Image source, HANDOUT

Adam Oxley
BBC Radio Sheffield

Image source, Adam Oxley/BBC

Max, George and George are here to cheer on the Blades at Wembley today.

George, who is 84 and pictured in the middle wearing a flat cap, has been a Sheffield United er for 77 years.

"I've never seen us win at Wembley," George says. "Let's hope we do it this time!"

He has seen many United teams over the years, but particularly enjoys watching the current crop.

"They're very good," he adds. "They always go for it and try to win every match if they can - that's all you can ask."

David Spereall
Reporter, BBC News

Image source, -BBC

ers travelling down on the trains from both Sheffield and Sunderland have encountered some problems this morning.

LNER warns of "major disruption" on the East Coast Main Line due to faults on several trains.

Let's hope everyone with tickets can make it to Wembley in time for kick-off.

Image source, Getty Images

Like the two other play-off finals this bank holiday weekend, today's game kicks off at 15:01 BST to highlight the British Heart Foundation's Every Minute Matters campaign.

It aims to inspire people to learn life-saving R skills in the event someone has a cardiac arrest.

Luton captain Tom Lockyer collapsed eight minutes into his team's Championship play-off final against Coventry two years ago.

Lockyer, who is now an ambassador for the charity, said: "I'm lucky to be alive today, but the reality is that less than one in 10 people usually survive, which is why it's vital we continue to raise awareness.

"The symbolic kick-off times are the perfect way to make our life-saving message impossible to ignore."

Steve Marshall
BBC Sport at Wembley

Image source, Steve Marshall - BBC Sport

Walking towards the ground from Wembley Stadium station more than three hours before kick-off, it was no surprise to be greeted by a sea of red and white striped shirts of both sides.

And there were more than a few apprehensive faces among the wearers.

The last time I was at a play-off final here, Oxford United beat York City in the National League promotion final to return to the Football League.

The U’s manager that day in 2010? A certain Chris Wilder, who today returns to Wembley as boss of Sheffield United with a place in the Premier League on the line.

The Blades have never won promotion through the play-offs in nine previous attempts and have not tasted victory at the national stadium in 100 years.

Something has to give - but will it be Wilder’s winning record in play-offs or the Blades’ hoodoo?

David Spereall
Reporter, BBC News

Image source, Getty Images

Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of today's Championship play-off final at Wembley.

Will Sunderland make it back to the Premier League after eight years away, or will Sheffield United finally break a 100-year curse and win at the national stadium?

We'll be bringing you all the pre-match build-up over the next three hours, before switching to updates from the final itself at 15:01 BST.

A place in English football's promised land awaits.