BY rights there shouldn't be a dry eye in the house when Solent Stars legends Alan Cunningham and Colin Irish bring the curtain down on their illustrious playing careers at the Wembley Arena on Saturday.

Tears, though, will be strictly forbidden because Cunningham has only one plan in mind - to beat league champions Teesside Mohawks in the National Basketball League Division 1 play-off final and throw a giant celebration party at the place he affectionately calls "home."

"Wembley's my house. I own it," says the big American. And rightly so. If a footballer can lay claim to the match ball for scoring a hat-trick, then the bright lights of London must surely belong to the incredible 45-year-old from Hot Springs, Arkansas, who has won more titles as a player than anyone in the history of the English game.

With three Championship crowns already under his belt from Birmingham, Cunningham embarked on a fairytale Wembley love affair that brought five more play-off successes between 1992 and 1997 with Kingston, Worthing and London Towers.

"Wembley should be called the hall of shame rather than the hall of fame because I've spent so many years partying there," he grins.

Irish, too, is a man for the big occasion. He has savoured six top-flight Championship victories, twice winning the most valuable player award into the bargain, but, like Cunningham, he has decided to listen to his body clock and quit while still on top.

"I'm done," he says. "My body's worn down mentally and physically, but it's been a good ride and I'm looking forward to going back to Wembley one last time.

"I've had a great time these last three years with Solent. We've enjoyed lots of success and we have some great youngsters coming through. I hope now that the club can build on what we've done."

Saturday's final will also mark the end of Panji Grainger's Solent career. Though still only 25, the Zambian-born England international is bowing out after two colossal seasons when, in rebounds alone, he has been worth his weight in gold.

"Panji, Alan and myself decided to quit some time ago," explains Irish. "People forget we've got careers to think of and we need to spend more time with our families."

For Solent Stars it will be their first Wembley trip since winning the NBL Division 3 play-offs in 1992 since when they have aspired to a Division 2 league/play-off double (1997/98) and last season's Division 1 league title.

This year they had to settle for third place in Division 1 while Teesside made off with the silverware, but there was little to choose between the sides in head-to-head combat. Each inflicted home league defeats on the other and Teesside required overtime to knock Solent out of the National Trophy.

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