The last time Sunderland boss Jack Ross was at Wembley Stadium he was with the Tartan Army at Euro 96. The last time Bristol Rovers manager Graham Coughlan was there, he was with his three children cheering Jesse Lingard's winner as Manchester United won the FA Cup. They may be fighting to fulfil expectations in League One, Ross to lead the Wearsiders up after back-to-back relegations and Coughlan to avoid the drop, but both know about what a trip to Wembley means for supporters and with Portsmouth awaiting, the Checkatrade Trophy final has the promise of a special occasion. Sunderland boss Jack Ross has not been to Wembley since attending Euro 96 as a Scotland fan Pompey have requested the maximum allocation of 38,000 tickets, and both Sunderland and Bristol Rovers have fan-bases capable of taking the venue close to its capacity for the showpiece on March 31. 'We have to embrace the pressure,' said Ross ahead of the trip to Bristol. 'Whether the club is in the Premier League or League One the demands mean pressure every day, so rather than try to play it down it's about being resilient and realistic enough to deal with it. We've spoken openly about it. We never try to shy away from it. 'We're reminded of the size of the club by the training ground and the stadium. In my experience, this is an unbelievable football club but demanding, the two go hand-in-hand. You can't have the rewards of a big club without the demands.' Ross was in the crowd at Wembley to see Scotland's defeat by England, which featured one of the stadium's most iconic goals scored by Paul Gascoigne SUNDERLAND ROAD TO SEMI-FINALS Group: Stoke U21s (H) 0-0 (4-2 pens) Group: Carlisle (H) 3-1 Group: Morecambe (A) 1-0 R2: Notts COunty (H) 2-0 R3: Newcastle U21s (H) 4-0 QF: Manchester City U21s 2-0 Five years ago Sunderland were in the League Cup final at Wembley, losing to Manchester City. FA Cup winners in 1937 and 1973, their fans may associate a trip to North London with grander occasions but the EFL Trophy in its various incarnations in 36 years since it was launched as the Associate Members' Cup has produced some memorable finals watched by huge crowds. Bristol Rovers took 32,000 fans to Wembley when it was the Leyland DAF Cup in 1990, when they were beaten 2-1 by Tranmere Rovers. 'We know Portsmouth against Sunderland in the final would be a big occasion but we're a hard-working club and we'll give our all,' said Rovers boss Coughlan, who was confirmed in his first managerial role in January, stepping up from the backroom staff to replace Darrell Clarke. 'I thought I'd missed the boat to be honest. I've been the bridesmaid, helping managers and I've enjoyed my coaching roles. It's been 10 years of learning and I'd fallen at the interview stage a few times. This is a massive opportunity for me. You've got to seize the moment, they don't come around too often. There's no point thinking what if.' Sunderland have seen off Premier League Under 23 sides including Newcastle in the cup so far Dublin-born Coughlan learned his trade playing amateur football at Cherry Orchard and working in an electrical warehouse before his break came with a move to Blackburn when they were Premier League champions in 1995. He moved on to enjoy successful spells at Plymouth, Sheffield Wednesday and Shrewsbury before stepping into coaching at Southend with his mentor Paul Sturrock. Coughlan was Shrewsbury captain in a play-off final at Wembley and led Southend out at Wembley in the 2013 EFL Trophy final against Crewe, a fortnight after Sturrock had been sacked and replaced by Phil Brown. 'The last time I wore a suit,' he joked. Graham Coughlan will be looking to guide Bristol Rovers into the Checkatrade Trophy final Both games ended in defeat but he did taste victory as a coach when Southend returned to beat Wycombe in the League Two play-off final. 'I've mixed emotions when it comes to Wembley,' said 44-year-old Coughlan. 'The last time was with my kids to watch Manchester United win the FA Cup against Crystal Palace. 'My Dad brought me and my brother up as United fans. He used to bring us over for games and we'd go away with Ireland. I went to the Euros in Poland and France, and the World Cup in 1994. I was right behind the goal when Ray Houghton scored against Italy. 'I couldn't believe what I was watching and the first thing that sprung to mind when people were jumping around in excitement was: 's***, it's too early to score, we'll make the Italians angry'. Great memories.' Coughlan (left) battles Gillingham's Dennis Oli for the ball while playing for Shrewsbury Town in the 2009 League Two play-off final at Wembley Stadium ROVERS ROAD TO SEMI-FINALS Group: West Ham U21s (H) 2-0 Group: Yeovil (H) 2-0 Group Exeter (A) 0-2 R2: Swansea U21s (A) 2-1 R3: Northampton (A) 2-1 QF: Port Vale (H) 3-0 Sunderland boss Ross has not been to Wembley since the Twin Towers and the old stadium were demolished and replaced by the gleaming new venue with its glittering arch. 'I still picture the old stadium when I think of Wembley,' said Ross. 'I grew up in an era when finals at Wembley and Hampden Park were huge and I was there for Euro 96, wearing my Scotland top in the England end. 'The outcome wasn't great that day from Gazza's goal and the celebration to Gary McAllister's penalty miss but the place had such a great history and it's retained its iconic status and allure. It would be a huge thrill to lead out my team there.' Sunderland have beaten Under 21 teams from Stoke, Newcastle and Manchester City on their way to the last four and the Checkatrade Trophy is set to continue in its current format for three more years. An agreement is in place among clubs from League One and Two, many of which reported improved financials from the competition since it was transformed with the prize-pot boosted to £3million and invitations to 16 Premier League and Championship clubs with Category A academy status to enter Under 21 teams. All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility