"Do not place me alongside those icons!" protests Jay Lovell after hearing his name paired with Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney.

The 33-year-old defender is about to follow the former Liverpool and Manchester United captains into the record books by leading a side out at Wembley this Sunday.

Lovell will skipper Cockfosters from Enfield in north London against AFC Stoneham from Eastleigh in Hampshire in the FA Vase final.

The father of two had always expected to be at Wembley this weekend, although not in quite this manner.

Lovell works as an escalator engineer in Hertfordshire for the company that installs, maintains and upgrades the escalators at the national stadium.

That role means he and his colleagues must be on site during major events to handle any technical problems that arise.

Cockfosters earned their place in the final by overcoming Kent side Punjab United 3-1 on aggregate across two legs in last month's semi-finals.

As a result Lovell will not report for engineering duties this weekend but will instead try to help his club lift the FA Vase for the first time.

"Now the final has arrived none of the lads are working," Lovell tells BBC Sport. "The whole team is coming to watch. We have passed the job to another crew."

"One of my managers joked about taking a two-hour break to play football. He has enjoyed some banter with me over it."

When Cockfosters meet AFC Stoneham of the Wessex League Premier Division on Sunday the contrast with the conditions faced during a demanding season will be stark.

The Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division outfit have contested more than 60 matches in all competitions, including 11 between 4 April and 4 May.

"Comparing us even to Conference South standard is unrealistic," the defender explains. "We may receive some pay but we lack the recovery facilities they enjoy and our training is very different."

"Our late-season schedule has been intense. We are fortunate to have a large squad that allowed rotation during eight games in 14 days."

"Balancing work, travel and evening matches takes real effort. It all feels worthwhile when you recall freezing December nights with driving rain and wonder why you are there instead of at home."

"We play for the love of the game and it has brought me here, walking out at Wembley."

Whatever the outcome, Sunday will be hard to surpass.

"Nothing tops this," Lovell says with a smile. "It is the ultimate."