JAY HARRIS was a Wembley ever-present with Wrexham so the midfielder certainly knows all about the highs and lows playing under the famous arch.

The combative midfielder helped the Reds progress to three finals at the London stadium and was on the winning side once but also suffered two defeats on the big stage during his first spell at The Racecourse from 2010-15.

There were mixed emotions but Harris knows highs and lows are part of football.

“It’s jubilation in one aspect but on the flip of the coin it is devastating,” said Harris. “It is very emotional.

“But that is football, that is why we play it. For the emotions. It is all worthwhile when it goes to plan.”

Harris played his part in helping Wrexham reach the 2013 FA Trophy final and on the club’s first ever appearance at Wembley, Andy Morrell’s side left victorious after beating Grimsby Town.

Andy Cook put the Mariners ahead in the second half but Kevin Thornton made it 1-1 from the penalty spot with nine minutes to go.

Extra time failed to separate the sides and Wrexham held their nerve in the shoot-out, winning it 4-1 to secure silverware.

“It was Wrexham’s first ever game at Wembley and luckily enough we got the win, we did the job,” said Harris.

“It was a great day and performance wise, I thought we were the better side from the first minute.

“I know we went a goal down to Cookie but we always felt like we were going to win the game.”

Harris was still on the pitch when the showpiece was decided in a shoot-out but he didn’t put his name down for a penalty.

“There are better penalty takers than me. Know your role!” said Harris.

Six weeks later and Wrexham were back at Wembley but this time Harris and his team-mates were on the losing side as south Wales rivals Newport County scored two late goals to clinch a 2-0 win in the Conference play-off final.

“You go from one extreme to the other,” said Harris. “One hundred per cent you would rather have lost the FA Trophy final to get that promotion which was the ultimate goal.

“But it is what it is and you have just got to take the memories and celebrate the good times because at the end of the day, not many people get to go to Wembley.

“We got there and we won at Wembley which is everybody’s dream.”

Wrexham returned to Wembley for another FA Trophy final in 2015 against North Ferriby United and Kevin Wilkin’s side were on course for victory.

Louis Moult and Harris scored either side of the break to put the Reds 2-0 up but the part-timers hit back to level and then took the lead in extra-time.

Although Moult made it 3-3 with a last-gasp equaliser, North Ferriby won 5-4 in the penalty shoot-out.

“Same again. Disappointing because we never got the result which overshadows scoring,” said Harris.

“We had control of the game and to go and throw it away like that is disastrous.

“A penalty shoot-out is a flip of the coin. Whether the goalkeeper goes the right way, you hit the target or miss the target.

“At least you have got some control in the 90 minutes or the 120 minutes.

“I am not a big fan of penalties as you probably know, I don’t take them, but the lads who step up are unbelievable. They show a lot of guts but it is a flip of the coin on the day.”

Harris returned to Wembley and was victorious with Tranmere Rovers in the National League play-offs before heading back to The Racecourse for a second spell from 2020-21.

Despite being beaten twice at the stadium with Wrexham the 35-year-old is proud of the fact he scored under the arch.

“I will say to everyone, not everybody scores at Wembley,” said Harris. “Not everybody gets the chance to play at Wembley.

“I have done things that Premier League players haven’t done so scoring there is one of the monumental things in my career.

“Luckily enough I did it with Wrexham in front of a great crowd.

“The day wasn’t great because of the result but it will go down as a great personal achievement for myself.”

Wrexham are back at Wembley for Sunday’s FA Trophy final against Bromley.

The run to the showpiece came alongside a promotion challenge and Harris says having two prolific strikers in Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer has been the key to success.

“It is going well for Wrexham,” said Harris. “I remember Dean Saunders saying to me that you are only as good as your strikers and he was spot on. And at the moment Wrexham have got the best strikers about.

“They’ve got Paul Mullin, they signed Ollie Palmer, Jake Hyde and if they are not doing well you have got Jordan Ponticelli and Dior Angus.

“When you have got strikers like that, and people who can come off the bench, I don’t see how you can not do well.

“You can have a steady defence, a steady midfield, but as long as you have got firepower you have always got that chance.

“I just want Wrexham to get promoted. I want them to do it for the fans really because I couldn’t do it when I was there.”