City have won the competition just once in its history back in 1986 and missed out in four other finals.
The latest of those was just two years ago when a Micah Richards inspired side lost 3-2 on aggregate to Liverpool after trailing 3-0 from the first leg.
This time the City kids start level pegging with Chelsea and Cassell's dream of adding the achievement of winning the trophy to the two dozen starlets who have graduated through his top-notch Academy to the first team is within touching distance.
The sides drew 1-1 in a scintillating first leg in London and Cassell is hoping to prolong Chelsea's own 47-year wait to get their hands on the coveted silverware.
"The first game was a terrific advert for youth football. It has been a trend in the latter stages of this year's competition that home teams have struggled and I just hope we buck the trend and that City fans come out in big numbers to support the lads tonight," he declared.
"We couldn't have asked for anymore in the first leg. There were two sides playing attractive football, the way it should be played and two well worked goals. There are players on both sides tonight who you can expect to see in the Premier League in a couple of years' time.
Attacking
"We knew it would be an attacking final because of the way the two clubs like to play and it proved that way. I don't see tonight's contest being any different in that respect. Of course we know each other a little better now but I am sure the emphasis will be on passing and movement and that there will be goals. Both teams have their share of creative players and when you have those types in your side there is no point shackling them.
"We are all desperate to put City's name on a piece of silverware. I want to win the trophy and so do the coaches Alex Gibson and Steve Eyre. We know it is our job to produce players for the first team but it would be extra special to add the cup to what we have already achieved."
He may have only owned the club for less than a season but even Thaksin Shinawatra has been getting excited by the prospect of the boy Blues triumphing.
"I am sure that nine months ago he had not even heard of the FA Youth Cup or our Academy but he has embraced it whole-heartedly and he sent a great good luck message to the lads. I think he was more nervous than I was before the first game," revealed Cassell.
"We have a philosophy at the Academy where we are not afraid to lose and if you have that then players are able to express themselves in the correct manner and that is what we hope to do tonight."
City must wait for a late fitness test on Danny Sturridge who picked up a knock on first team duty at Sunderland at the weekend. Robbie Mak stands by to deputise otherwise the Blues will be unchanged.
KICK-off is at 7.45pm and admission is free for season-ticket holders and Live4City members. Admission for non-season ticket holders is £5 (£1 for kids). All level one turnstiles will be open but fans are advised to arrive early.
Will the boy Blues do it? Have your say.
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Come on lads, good luck : )
YES YES YES Come on City. Sir Jim, a true candidate for a knighthood
Good luck to all involved for tonight
Good luck to Jim and the team. This man deserves all the credit he gets for the great work he has done for our youngsters. Lets get as many as possible to the stadium and cheer them on to victory.
JIM & ALL THE YOUNG CITY BLUE BOYS "DO US PROUD TONIGHT"
Does anyone know if there'll be a cash turnstile tonight, or is it the usual long queue at the ticket office?
Keith MacRae...
Pretty sure it's ticket only. So expect heavy queues. If the final from two years ago is anything to go by, expect tickets to be sold at the Visitor Centre ticket office near the Mercedes dealership.
While there were huge queues at the main ticket office, I remember purchasing tickets with relative ease prior to kick-off on that evening.
Hope that helps.
Come on the lads.
Check the City Website. It tells you there that Level 1 Turnstiles will be open. Get there early though!
Wish I could be there also.
Good luck Lads!
Just read Chelsea took their lads for a week in Sardinia to prepare, lets hope they are as laid back as we were when we came back from our little jaunt!!!
2-0
CTID
very much lucking forward to seeing this weiss... is sturridge fit do we know??
Chelsea's team will only contain 2 British players and cost 10 mill to assemble. Come on City!
Mark (ex Spidey ?),
Cheers mate, my time was 3 hours 47 mins, as ever, was torture. Doing it again next year to try for 3:30. Didn't see Goody but the missus saw Ramsay.
Come on the Young'ns tonight. Bit tighter at the back and jobs a good'n.
City young'ns 12 Chelsea 2.
Are there any free tickets or two for ones ,like there are for the first team?
It is ticket only - season tickets are automatically updated otherwise you have to queue at ticket office.
Farmer Giles, Talking Manure
Farmer its pay @ the gate if you bring your season card and show your entitled to your reduction
from the Ciy site.
Seasoncard holders will have free entry to this game on production of their current card,
cards have been activated automatically.
so there is no need to Q up
if your're a season card holder,
modern technology, it never fails.
daft question.
how many players-bar names do you not recognise.?? and do they make you want to investigate the player.
wikopedia is good for info
on most players.
Come on you Blue boys.
I'm sure all proper fans will be there tonight, circumstances allowing,so it looks like being a bumper gate.
Let's show those young seniors how it should be done.
Onwards and upwards with King Sven and the Good Doctor.
Svens job under scrutiny - Thaksin confirms on bbc sport... No more than that at the moment.
Would be great to see the ground near to full, - BEST of luck 'YOUNGUNS'
if justice is to be done then surely every neutral football fan will want City,with the majority of the team home-grown local lads, to beat Chelsea,who are trying to do in the youth cup what they have done in the Premier League ie.buy their way to success with a team full of foreigners. good luck tonight lads,Jim deserves this cup for his work in producing and running the finest academy in the country.
Mark,verypleased...
I was under the impression that Seasoncard holders and Live4City members gain FREE entry, not a reduction. Is this not correct, then?
Mark,verypleasedwithsvenandsven or whatever you're called...
You are giving out wrong information. The days of cash at City are well gone. The stadium has moved with technology. Try and get your facts correct before offering advice to other supporters.
Farmer Giles, Talking Manure
Maybe its changed as far as i,m aware its a reduction,if its now free then great.
Best of luck to the lads tonight.I would suggest that if you are going get there early as it will be the usual fiasco at the gates.The East Stand is open and Seasoncards are activated so you will not have to queue at the ticket office.
City really do need to get slicker at these arrangements.I thought we had left the bad old days of Maine Road ticketing behind.