Practice makes perfect for Little
Mark Little admits he has got his Wembley routine down to a tee now after he enjoyed his third success at the national stadium on Sunday.
The Bristol City right-back had a huge hand in his side lifting the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at Wembley Stadium connected by EE after contributing a goal and a man of the match display to the cause.
It was the second successive season in which Little has lifted the trophy after being a part of the Peterborough side which beat Chesterfield in 2014.
And he admitted that his experiences last season prepared him for the post-match celebrations.
“At the final whistle I just tried to do what I did last year,” he said with a smile.
“I go and find myself a flag and a wig, go and see my family and my pals and then the press come and grab you.
“This is my third wig and third medal so I hope there’s some more.”
Still sporting the aforementioned wig a good hour after the final whistle the defender was quick to tell WembleyStadium.com that he was less versed in how to celebrate his second half goal in Sunday’s final.
“I ran off with no idea what I was doing,” he laughed, “I’m not an experienced goal scorer.”
“The gaffer said to me last week that it would make me a better player if I scored more goals but I didn’t wake up this morning thinking I was going to get on the score sheet.
“To do it is a great feeling.”
As well as two Johnstone’s Paint Trophy victories at Wembley, Little also has a play-off final winners’ medal but says that Sunday’s achievement takes some beating.
“I have been promoted through the play-off final and in your career that’s a massive achievement,” said the 26-year-old.
“But the fact I have retained the trophy and also the manner of it, to play so well in doing it, might have just topped it.
“I don’t think the day could have gone any better.
“I’ve retained the trophy, another medal, goal, man of the match and to see all my friends and family here it is just ridiculous.”
Bristol City are 10 points clear at the top of League One and Little says he has no desire for another Wembley visit this season or to complete a hat-trick of Johnstone’s Paint Trophy wins next campaign.
“We don’t want to be coming here for the play-offs,” he said. “Top spot is what we are heading for and that’s where we want to be.
“I don’t want to come back to do the Johnstone’s Paint next year either, I don’t want to be eligible for that.”