Work has a Wembley corporate box, the weekly newsletter usually gives it a mention, be it a health conference, or employee competition to use the box (usually The FA Vase) or some big new deal being signed.

Any way it is available for use at (nearly) all Wembley events and also every other day of the year. A deserted Wembley, but the box can still be used. Signing new contracts and prestigious client meetings are often held there.

As soon as I knew we had reached the play offs. I enquired about its availability.

At the same time, our newsletter was running a competition to get a ticket for the FA Vase Final the weekend before the Play Off Final.

A rather stuffy, "Oh, I don't know about that, we usually run a competition for lesser events if no customer wants to use it" was the response. With a bit of persuasion, my request was noted. About 2 weeks later, after securing our Wembley date and with some more persuasion, eventually I was offered 10 tickets, The other 2 had been reserved for customers from York. At least they weren’t from Oxford.

Offering places to anyone at work, I was not sure about the take up. But I was inundated for tickets, they all went quickly, a mix of hardened supporters, West Ham, Sunderland, Cardiff, Charlton and Scunthorpe included plus a couple going along for the Wembley experience.

By the Friday before the game, the 2 customers had dropped out so we had the whole box to ourselves.

I’d always been under the impression that the hospitality boxes came with full hospitality. I was wrong, I now suspect that in an effort to sell the boxes, seat only boxes were sold. Out of the window went my three course meal and unlimited free alcohol.

Arriving 90 minutes before the kick off, all the stewards could not have been more gracious and helpful.

Up multiple escalators, walking along cavernous corridors, past numerous near deserted or closed bars, we eventually reached our floor. We walked past the trophy cabinet, they were all there, even if they were replicas, even down to the victors having their names engraved on them.

At the Luton game in 2012, I could see York City engraved on The FA Trophy.

Given the expected crowd, only some of the prestigious catering facilities for the higher price tickets were available, most did not bother to open. There were the same beer, pizza and hot dogs as well as the luxurious restaurant. I did not check how much the 3 course meal would have cost.

What seemed like a marathon ensued as we followed the corridor curving round and around. Most boxes appeared to be unoccupied but unlocked on the day.

At the end where the Oxford supporters were housed and immediately behind the goal was the Chelsea FC box. It seemed huge, probably taking 40 or fifty people.

It was open, deserted and decorated in Chelsea colours. They had won the FA Cup a day earlier. No one prevented us from going inside to look around. Unfortunately, there were no Chelsea souvenirs to remove.

We eventually reached our box. Inside, a large conference table and 12 chairs. Big chunky sofas ran the length of both sides, behind each was a large plasma TV screen. Tucked away out of sight, a separate kitchen area containing a fridge and basic cooking facilities plus a private WC.

An attentive waiter paid us several visits, ready to take all our food and drink orders. Incidentally, he was equally officious ensuring the box blinds were drawn closed as kick off approached so that we could not be seen drinking in sight of the pitch.

Through the room and outside into our match seats. 2 rows of 6 seats. The only downside was that immediately in front of us were housed the Oxford supporters.

However, we were well positioned to watch Ben Purkiss cross from the far side and with us being perfectly in line with the goal line to see the keeper fumble the ball into the net for our City.

It was much the same routine in 2012. Asking nicely and being left to wait several weeks before I was granted the box for The FA Trophy Final. Again, I filled it with a hotch potch of supporters including a Chelsea supporter attending her first ever live game.

By this time, I had also requested it for the play off final only to be declined on the basis that I had had it twice. However, on the Thursday before the Luton game I was told it had unexpectedly become available (cynical me doubts it was ever unavailable). With a lot of dashing around, I managed to almost fill it again.

In 2010, my guests appreciated the game. In 2012, at both games, some of my big team supporting guests were genuinely taken a back by the high quality of football of display.

3 games and it gave a small fraction of the workforce an opportunity that is unavailable to most people.

In 2012, my downside was not being in the York end as we swept to double glory. After the final whistle of each game, the players did not really make it to my corner on their lap of honour (despite frenetic cheering and waving from our one box, the ones near us that had been occupied had long since been vacated). They then proceeded to do most of their celebrating in the diagonally opposite corner of the pitch in front of the York fans with their backs to me.

Just hope I do not have to wait too long for another City Wembley trip.