ADAM Barrett insists walking out at Wembley with Southend United will be a fairytale for him this weekend.

The popular centre-back grew up supporting the Shrimpers, as well as dreaming of lining up at the home of English football.

And the 35-year-old wept tears of joy when Blues made it through to face Wycombe Wanderers.

“This really does mean everything to me and, I’m not going to lie, I had tears in my eyes when we won the semi-final against Stevenage,” said Barrett.

“When you’re a kid and you play football in the garden or down the park I think everyone pretends they’re at Wembley so the fact I’ll be playing there on Saturday is very special to me.

“And the fact I’m going to be playing for my home-town club, who everyone knows means a hell of a lot to me, makes this game even more special for me.

“But we’re not going there to enjoy a day out and it’s only going to be a day to look back on fondly if we win.”

Barrett, who lives in Benfleet, is currently enjoying his second spell with the Shrimpers.

The defender won promotion from League Two, via the play-offs, back in 2005.

And he will certainly have plenty of support as he bids for more of the same this weekend.

“I’ve had to buy so many tickets I’m a bit worried people might start to think I’m a tout,” laughed Barrett.

“I’ve got 30 already but I’m going to have to get a few more as everyone wants to come.

“I’m from a very close family and having them there to support me means the world to me, especially my mum who hasn’t been very well.”

But it is not just friends and family asking Barrett for tickets as he also received a request from a complete stranger in Australia.

“I got an email this week from a Southend fan in Australia asking if I could help pay for him to come over to the final,” said the centre-back.

“I don’t know him and I’m not really able to do it but I guess it does show the level of interest there is in the game.”

Last time the Shrimpers lined up at Wembley, for the 2013 Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final against Crewe Alexandra, more than 30,000 fans cheered them on.

And that included Barrett, who was able to watch a game alongside his son Harrison for the first time.

“It was nice to see a game with my son and it was the first time I was able to watch Southend after leaving without it hurting me,” said the defender.

“That might have been because I had won promotion with Gillingham the day before and had had a few drinks but it was still nice to be able to sit in with the fans.

“Of course I wanted to be playing, everyone probably did, but I’m so glad I’ll be out there this time and not sat in the stands.”

As a result, Barrett will be lining up against a familiar face in Wycombe Wanderers striker Paul Hayes, who lives in Wickford and sends his two young sons- Will and Noah - to the defender’s PFA Academy which is based in Thundersley.

“Paul’s a big threat for them and he’s someone I know well because he’s often down for training at the academy with his sons,” said the former Belfairs High School pupil.

“They’re both with us but I think I might start charging them double!”