EX-ROVER David Mail could be the major obstacle standing between Clitheroe and their hopes of FA Vase glory at Wembley tomorrow.

But he will be a reluctant hero if he lines up for Brigg Town, as he confesses he still isn't really interested in football!

The 33-year-old former Ewood defender was persuaded to make a dramatic comeback to help Clitheroe's opponents to reach Wembley.

And tomorrow it could come down to a straight Brigg choice between ex-Rover Mail and former Hull City stalwart Neil Buckley, who, incidentally, had a spell on loan with Burnley six years ago.

Now driving a tanker for a living after leaving Hull at the end of last season, Mail answered an SOS from Brigg after one of their regular central defenders, his brother-in-law Buckley, was injured. "They had asked me to sign on just in case, though I told them the chances of me playing again were very remote," said the man who was a professional footballer simply because it was what he did best.

"I had no interest in playing again.

"But they were struggling before the quarter finals, I got the shout to help out and I've had to keep going.

"After I finished playing, I hadn't touched a ball or done any training for eight months.

"I was okay until five minutes from the end of my first game and then I had cramp everywhere. I couldn't walk for three or four days afterwards.

"Basically, I just came back to help them out and it's snowballed from there.

"I still don't really bother with football. The missus - Buckley's sister Alicia who is a keen football fan - keeps me informed. I'm quite happy just working."

Concentrating on short-haul jobs to fit in the football, Mail, a Wembley winner with Rovers in 1987, has still had problems finding time to turn out. "For one game, I had to drive the lorry straight to the ground, park up in a lay-by and go out and play," he said.

"And Brigg's an awkward place to get to from where I am in Hull."

Buckley, a good friend from the duo's days together at Boothferry Park, has made a partial recovery from a bad knee injury.

He has had one full game and part of another, but is still feeling some soreness.

"We don't really know what's happening for Sunday, but I think I'll be involved," said Mail.

There could be another twist to the final line-ups if Mail plays for Brigg.

For, when told Gary Butcher would be in the Blues ranks, he revealed: "We used to be in digs together when we were both at Ewood."

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