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By Dominic Hogan Published: 05: 00 AEST, 3 September 2024 | Updated: 07: 26 AEST, 3 September 2024 1 View comments Wembley is probably the most iconic stadium in world football - admittedly, there's an argument for the Maracana or the San Siro - so if you're going to have a 100 per cent win record anywhere, it might as well be beneath the famous arches. It's a very short and exclusive list for those that can boast as much, as you might expect. But despite never finishing higher than 10th in the second-flight of English football, that is the reality for Peterborough United. In four attempts the Posh are yet to suffer defeat, with two play-off final victories and a pair of Football League Trophy triumphs, ten years apart but both under the stewardship of manager Darren Ferguson. Twice Ferguson, son of legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex, has guided Peterborough United to glory at Wembley, and while his side share a certain kinship with the famous ground, he has a similar relationship with the competition itself. With two wins as a coach and one as a player, there aren't many people that know the Bristol Street Motors Trophy better than Ferguson. Darren Ferguson (pictured above) opened up on all things EFL Trophy ahead of his side's campaign getting up and running Ferguson has a strong record at Wembley and has won the EFL Trophy twice at Peterborough The Peterborough United boss is the son of Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson 'It's a trophy I've always taken seriously, especially as a manager, because I know what the rewards are at the end, and that's a message to the players from the first game. 'There's no better incentive for them than looking back at last season when we start preparing for it. ' The Football League Trophy - or the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, Papa John's Trophy, Checkatrade Trophy, or Johnstone's Paint Trophy depending on your vintage - is unique in that it pits senior sides from Leagues One and Two against an U21 team from higher up the ladder. For example, Peterborough have been drawn in a four-team group alongside Gillingham (League Two), Stevenage (League One) and Crystal Palace U21s, and Ferguson hinted that there might be a few opportunities for the younger players in his squad to cut their teeth. 'I've never treated this tournament with a lack of respect in terms of just playing a bunch of kids or playing the reserve team or whatever, ' he added. 'But it is a tournament that is also used for the development of the players. So you can sort of do both; play a strong team, but then add one or two younger players because you know they'll be looked after by the senior players. 'You only get two opportunities to play at Wembley as a League One manager. You're not going to get it in the FA Cup Final, and realistically you're not going to do it in the League Cup final, so the trophy and the play-offs are the two opportunities you'll get, so why not have a right go at them? And that's how I've always treated it. ' Ferguson and his side come into the competition this year as one of the favourites not just after their strong campaign last term that unfortunately ended in League One play-off heartbreak, but because they are the reigning champions. Ferguson has three EFL Trophy titles to his name - two as a manager, and one as a player Peterborough's win over Wycombe in their last trip to Wembley was secured in dramatic style Not only did they win back in April, but they saw off Wycombe in such dramatic fashion, that it will likely go down as one of the finals for the ages. With the scores locked at 0-0 heading into the final five minutes, Posh will have been forgiven for thinking they'd wrapped it up after captain Harrison Burrows struck to take the lead - but it wasn't to last. Wycombe's Dale Taylor levelled it up with just 60 seconds on the clock for normal time. But with extra time and penalties beckoning, Burrows stepped up once again. After a corner was headed clear deep into injury time, Burrows sent in a cross to the back stick that he caught too sweetly if anything, as it sailed over the head of Wycombe goalkeeper Franco Ravizzoli to give Posh a late, late win and yet another memorable day out at Wembley. But despite scoring a late goal to win the final himself with Wrexham back in 2005, Ferguson was adamant that seeing his side clinch it at the death was a much more satisfying feeling. 'Yeah, for me, it's a lot more satisfying as a manager. The goal I scored as a player was the second one to really clinch it. We had already gone one up in extra time and it was quite late on, so that kind of won us the game. 'But as a manager, it's a lot more satisfying, I have to say. And also for for the player that scored both goals, he's gone through the ranks since he's been 10. He's no longer at the club, but it was fantastic for him to do that at Wembley. 'But as a manager, you have a connection with everyone and it's for everyone at the club and all the fans. And you know, even walking down Wembley way the day of the game, all the fans are there with the families, and it's a special day. There's no getting away from it. And it's a day you never forget. ' Ferguson admitted that the feeling of winning was always more satisfying from the touchline The former United player scored in extra time for Wrexham to win the competition in 2005 One fan in the stands in particular that day caught the attention. With Darren and Peterborough set for the biggest day of their season, his dad Sir Alex was among the 42, 000 who made the trip to Wembley. Regardless of your age or walk of life, having your parents watching on always brings that little bit of extra pressure. When your dad is perhaps the most famous person to have ever done your job, you would think that might naturally bring its own added challenges. 'I don't really think about it. I have to concentrate on my job, ' Ferguson admits. 'It was great that all my family, my dad, was there. Wembley was really good. It's always a great feeling when the games finished and they're all there and they enjoy the celebrations with you. 'But when the games got on, you obviously don't think about it. So, yeah, it was really, really good that he was there both times. He's been there when I've won at Wembley. He was there when I won as a player, so it's always really nice. 'When your family are there, it's adds to it, especially when the game's over and you look up, they're there and they're smiling and happy. It's a nice feeling. ' With his Peterborough side set to start their campaign on Tuesday, the boss is now targeting becoming the first side to go back-to-back. They're also in joint-second for the most titles with two, along with 10 other sides, but their task now lies in reeling in Bristol City, who lead the way with three EFL Trophies in the cabinet. 'Yeah, 100 per cent there's a motivation to try and do back to back, and as a club, I don't think we want to wait another 10 years. It was a big gap. I think the motivation would be trying equal the most amount of times and try and do back to back, but it's not that easy. Peterborough go into the competition as one of the favourites after their dramatic previous win Ferguson admitted that going back-to-back was a motivation, but the focus was winning the first two games to progress 'The main thing is to try and win your first two games of the group. Then you're through. Last season, we did that, and the third game we played a much younger team, but you're already through pretty much one won the group. 'You know, you're going to be at home in the next round. So that's why the first two games are pivotal to being successful. ' The EFL is back! Sky Sports’ new deal with EFL will see 1, 000 EFL games being shown live this season – including Peterborough’s Bristol Street Motors tie against Gillingham. Breaking it down, it means League One and League Two clubs will be featured live at least 20 occasions, with Championship clubs shown live at least 24 times. Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group