Wembley's First Match: What Was It?
Alena Casper
2025-05-08 05:48:58
Count answers: 5
The Empire Stadium, as it was know in it's early years, was opened in 1923 for the British Empire Exhibition of 1924-5 and held its first England match in April of that year against Scotland. In fact, it was only used by the FA to accommodate the vast numbers that attended the biennial England/Scotland fixture until Argentina’s visit in April 1951.
Abagail Kirlin
2025-05-08 05:03:51
Count answers: 4
The building was completed on April 24, 1923. 4 days later it hosted its first major sporting event: the 1923 FA Cup final between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United.
Cleveland Cole
2025-05-08 04:45:40
Count answers: 3
The first match played on the hallowed pitch was the 1923 FA Cup final. The match was threatened with cancellation when the crowd spilled onto the pitch until policeman George Scorey and his white horse 'Billy' drove the crowds back onto the terraces. Forever remembered as the 'white horse final', the match ended with Bolton Wanderers defeating West Ham United 2-0.
Elissa Daugherty
2025-05-08 03:27:13
Count answers: 5
The 'White Horse Final' - Bolton 2-0 West Ham, 28 April, 1923
It was the first ever FA Cup final staged at Wembley, but it could have been the last.
A higher than anticipated turnout showed up and there was huge overcrowding, though it went off without a problem thanks to the cooperation of fans and the police.
Apparently 125,000 could fit into the new ground, but it is estimated around 250,000 showed up for a game which was NOT a ticket only event.
Fans spilled onto the pitch and police, led by George Scorey on Billie, the white horse, maintained order in the historic game, despite kick-off being delayed by an hour.
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