THE last time Karl Fitzpatrick was at Wembley with Warrington, it was as football manager in the heartbreaking defeat to Hull FC in 2016.

In the two years since, he has taken over as chief executive at The Halliwell Jones Stadium and has overseen one of the most turbulent periods in the club's recent history.

Enigmatic scrum half Chris Sandow announced he wasn't coming back from Australia for the 2017 season, there was neither a shirt sponsor or a stadium naming rights deal for the future and 2017 would be the worst in the past decade with Warrington left fighting for survival in the Qualifiers.

That led to Tony Smith leaving as coach and the off season saw a complete overhaul of the performance team with Steve Price's arrival as head coach bringing about changes which included a new assistant coach, new head of performance, new head physio, new team manager, new head of performance analysis and new head of youth.

"In terms of a baptism of fire it was a hot one. But it was a fantastic learning curve," Fitzpatrick said.

"As the phrase goes, 'failure doesn't have to be fatal but failing to change could be'.

"Changes had to be made and put in place. We expected that the beginning of the season was going to be tough due to the volume of changes.

"Steve Price brought a different philosophy to the club and it needed time to bed in and we had a lot of new players and a lot of players delayed due to the World Cup with some not back until January.

"It was always going to take time. It has now fallen into place but there is still room for improvement."

The improvement sees Warrington in the top four after last year's problems and most significantly, back at Wembley with dreams of a first major trophy since 2012 when they take on Catalans Dragons on Saturday.

For Fitzpatrick it will continue his love affair with Wembley which started as a young Wigan fan in the 1980s.

He said: "My first Wembley was a fantastic occasion.

"It was 1989 when Wigan beat St Helens 27-0 and I went with my dad Robert. I remember he came home from the pub with some cheap tickets for the game.

"It was just a magical occasion.

"I remember pulling the jersey on with JJB on it, I can see it now. The feel of it. I had one of those rosettes and the shiny flat caps which I am sure would be a fire risk these days.

"I have so many fond memories of going that day."

While his playing career as full-back with Salford, Widnes and Ireland never saw him playing at the national stadium, he has been to Wembley as part of the backroom team as the Wire beat Leeds in 2012 and lost to Hull in 2016.

"I first went with Warrington in 2012," said the 38-year-old. "I know Kylie Leuluai probably has the most difficult job in the next few weeks with tickets requests from players which is a nightmare!

"I dealt with the logistics of the trips and the hotel bookings.

"I have so many special memories but probably the best was being in the stadium at the end of the game in 2012 when it was empty and all the players enjoyed a beer together soaked up the occasion.

"It was a privilege to be part of the backroom staff and it was great just having a drink with your mates after the game, that is what is it about."

Now the experience will be very different as he swaps the boots and the dugout for a spot in the director's box.

Fitzpatrick said: "It is different now because I can't influence the match. But having said that, there is more at stake and more responsibility as chief executive.

"I know the impact it has on the business and what Wembley means from a financial point of view. It could be worth in the region of £200,000.

"Being at Wembley is fantastic for the town and also for the business. We can reinvest that money where it needs it, be it a training facility or at the stadium or wherever it is needed.

"It creates more of an opportunity down the line of becoming a bigger and bigger club."

And Saturday will be a family affair with his mum, wife Anna and children Georgia and Charlotte travelling. His dad Robert, 79, sadly won't be able to travel as he is suffering with dementia.

"I know he will be proud of me," he said.

"It will be a proud day for us. I will probably be a little bit nervous as well because you know the significance but from the director's box where I now sit, you cannot have a direct impact on the performance like you can as a coach or a player.

"My wife and children were probably more nervous than I was for the semi-final. They live and breathe it. We all do. It is our lives. I owe a lot to this club.

"This club gave me an opportunity in 2010. I owe it and the game so much.

"If I can give a little but back after the faith shown in me by the likes of Simon Moran, Stuart Middleton, Mike Lomax and Steven Broomhead then that means so much to me."