An amazing feeling - Challenge Cup semi-final man of the match Jordan Turner in dreamland after Castleford Tigers book Wembley trip with win over Warrington Wolves

The off-season signing from Huddersfield Giants was named man of the match in Tigers’ 35-20 Betfred Challenge Cup semi-final win over Warrington Wolves and, having been there many times as a fan, he can’t wait to experience Wembley with his boots on.

“It feels amazing,” Turner said.

“I have dreamed of this moment since being a young boy.

“We always used to have a family trip out to go to the Challenge Cup final, my first one was in 1999 and I went for 15 years after that.

“It’s a dream for me and my family and I owe them one.

“When I was a kid they’d save up all year for a full weekend away, whether it was at Wembley or Cardiff or Scotland.

“I’d get a new top as I didn’t support a club, so whoever was playing that year I’d support one of them. It’s time for me to repay them.”

At 32 and having played at the top level since 2007, Turner admitted it was getting to the now or never stage for his Wembley hopes.

“It has been a long time coming,” he added.

“Over the years I can remember getting to one semi-final, a quarter-final and some of the early rounds and going over to my mum and wife in the stands saying ‘that’s another year gone’.

“It’s a fairytale, a dream come true, we didn’t know if this moment had gone for us, but it’s very much still alive.

“My grandad’s sat at home, I wish he and my kids could have been here [at the semi-final], but they will be at the Challenge Cup final.

“It’ll mean everything to them and I’ll be playing for all of them at Wembley.”

The semi-final triumph ended a run of three successive defeats.

Tigers will face St Helens at Wembley on July 17, but Turner insisted their focus now turns to Super League and Thursday’s home game against Hull.

“The final will get put to the back of our minds,” he stressed. “Our recent league form has been poor, we also want to make a Grand Final and we need to pick our game up.”