Lawless was among the 86,703 crowd that watched Fontaine’s Bristol City miss out on a dream promotion to the Premier League against Hull in 2008.

Veteran striker Dean Windass struck the only goal of the game to leave City behind in the Championship and, although the Tigers were relegated back to the Football League this month, the Ashton Gate club have come nowhere near to securing top-flight status again.

Centre-back Fontaine and Lawless both started their careers at Fulham and, recalling his old pal’s pain two years ago, the City craftsman said: “I was with Liam after the game and I think seeing him like that helped me realise how horrible it must be.

“I will use that tomorrow and I’m also glad that I’ve actually been there and seen the stadium because that will help a little bit. It won’t be such a big thing now because I have got that first impression out of the way.”

The Championship play-off is often referred to as “the richest game in football” due to its lucrative financial rewards.

But Lawless believes the Blue Square Premier final is just as meaningful for its member clubs, saying: “Both games are relative for the clubs and players.

“I can’t imagine what it must be like for Championship players as they are trying to win an opportunity to play against some of the best players in the world and even teams they support. Everybody here though is just as desperate to get back into the League where the club belongs.

“The game won’t compare to anything I’ve experienced. I’ve played in a few big FA Cup ties but this will be a lot different.

“In those matches, we were underdogs playing big teams. Now, we are trying to get promoted so there’s a lot more riding on it.

“It’s the biggest game I’ve ever played in and I’m looking forward to it.”

Lawless will need to upset two more old friends tomorrow, however, if he is to end up on the winning team at Wembley.

Former Forest Green team-mates Simon Clist and Anthony Tonkin both now ply their trade with Oxford having previously enjoyed long spells in the Football League with the likes of Bristol City and Crewe respectively.

Right-sided midfielder Lawless and full-back Tonkin are expected to line up against each other under the arch and the City schemer hopes to capitalise on their familiarity.

He said: “I rate both of them very highly and they are good guys as well. On the pitch, I used to look up to them a little because they are a bit older than me and had played higher up in the League.

“They probably stood out at Forest Green and emphasise how tough tomorrow will be. I could be up against Anthony Tonkin so I know his strengths and weaknesses and, hopefully, I can use that to my advantage.

“There’s not many full-backs at this level who like to go forward as he does. That makes things tough because you are going forward and backwards.

“But, in that respect, playing against Fred Murray at Luton was good practice because I think that’s what I will get from Oxford. Anthony’s strong but the fact that I don’t play as an out-and-out winger might cause him problems.”

Like Lawless, Clist and Tonkin left Forest Green to swap battling relegation for the opportunity to challenge at the opposite end of the table.

About his reason for making the switch, the 27-year-old Welshman, whose only previous Football League experience saw him play 14 games for Torquay in the 2005/6 season, Lawless said: “I have been desperate to be in this position for a few years.

“At Forest Green, it was really frustrating because we had the players to get into the play-offs but couldn’t. I came to York because I thought we could reach this point and, now, we are one game away from exactly what I am aiming for.

“It would mean everything to me to get promoted. Within reason, it's my main aim.

“Football’s obviously a team sport but everyone here has the same target. I feel confident that I can play in that division.

“Sometimes things don’t work out or players move somewhere more convenient but I feel I can get back in the League and do a job there.”

Many players and officials at Bootham Crescent are making light of the legions of Oxford fans that are travelling to Wembley compared to their Minstermen counterparts.

Lawless admits such impressive support might present problems but not if City look to gain an upper hand during the opening exchanges.

He added: “The support might help them if it’s an even game at 0-0 or if they go a goal up but if we get on top early on, it could have the opposite effect. There is a level of expectancy at Oxford from their fans that I have always felt going to their ground.”

Amateur artist Lawless also confessed that he has had little time to get out his easel since arriving in North Yorkshire but could return to his hobby depending on tomorrow’s result, saying: “If I was searching for some inspiration, I think reproducing images of Wembley would be ideal if we win.”