From the 'Dog and Duck' to Wembley?

Altrincham's Jordan Hulme has pretty much seen and done it all in non-league football, but faces the "biggest game" of his life tomorrow with a Wembley final at stake.

Now 32, Hulme's backstory has featured promotion after promotion at the likes of Ramsbottom, Salford, AFC Fylde and 'Alty', but he admits that all of his league successes will be eclipsed if he captains Altrincham to victory in their FA Trophy semi-final against Halifax this Saturday. 

With five goals in his last 10 starts, Hulme has played his way into good form at just the right time for the momentous match and hopes his tendency to rise to big occasions will stand him in good stead as he goes full tilt for Wembley. 

"Whenever I've been on TV or it's been a big pressure game, I'm always better, I'm always good. So, I'm going to treat it like it's the biggest game of my life and go out and try and smash it, " Hulme told Playmaker in an exclusive interview, in which he also named a 7-a-side team made of the best players he's played with during his career. 

"I've come from the Dog and Duck! I started at 16 in the Manchester Prem and have been promoted out of every league since up to the level I'm up to now. But I've never been anywhere near getting to Wembley, so I'm really looking forward to it." 

Altrincham's recent form against Saturday's opponent will give Hulme cause for cautious optimism, as they have taken four National League points this season off Halifax, who are three places and six points behind Alty in the fifth tier. 

Up for the cup

Although league form famously goes out of the window in the cup, Hulme is determined to give his all in his quest to reach Wembley. 

If Hulme does inspire Altrincham to Wembley and lead them out in the FA Trophy final on 21 May, it would be a fantastic chapter in a storied career...and he would definitely not be turning up in London alone. 

"I'm from a little town in Bury, and I think everyone that knows me is quite excited. If we can do it, it would really top off my career. 

"If I get to Wembley there will be about 10 coaches full of people from Ramsbottom going!

"I'm hoping I can do it for my Dad and my Mum, they've followed me everywhere so if I could take them to Wembley it would be amazing." 

7⃣ We had the pleasure of chatting with @altrinchamfc captain @JHulme1 this week to discuss life at 'Alty' (stay tuned!) and a 7-a-side team consisting of the best team-mates he's played with during his career...

💥 It's a heck of a line-up...👇https://t.co/uYxiycdaxo

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) March 24, 2023