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January 8, 2024

EFL Rewind: The first EFL Trophy Final ever held at Wembley – EFL CHAMPIONSHIP

When Wigan Athletic reached the 1985 EFL Trophy Final, it was a significant moment, as this was the first major competition match held at Wembley Stadium. The Greater Manchester town hoped for a double, especially after the Wigan Warriors had recently won the Challenge Cup Final at the same venue. The excitement in Wigan was palpable, with supporters eager to see their football club achieve similar success and make history on this iconic stage.

Less than a month had passed since the Wigan Warriors, the rugby league team of Wigan defeated Hull in the Challenge Cup Final at the famous national stadium, and the Latics had secured their spot in the Freight Rover Trophy Final.

Bryan Hamilton’s Wigan team faced Brentford, a Third Division club, in a match that provided a chance to secure silverware in an emerging competition, the EFL Trophy, founded in 1981. This final was significant for both teams, offering an opportunity to showcase their abilities and establish themselves in the tournament. Wigan aimed to make their mark under Hamilton’s leadership, while Brentford sought to assert strength in this growing competition.

Prior to 1982, when the Final was held at one of the Finalist’s home grounds, the highlight had previously taken place at Blundell Park in Grimsby Town and then at Sincil Bank in Lincoln City.

However, due to damage to the Wembley pitch during the Horse of the Year Show, the Final was subsequently moved to Boothferry Park, the home of that year’s runners-up, Hull City. In 1984, the Final was scheduled to take place at the birthplace of English football.

Ultimately, the EFL Trophy Final was held at Wembley Stadium. This significant venue marked an essential moment in the competition’s history. To commemorate the occasion, Watford chairman and music legend Elton John was present to award the trophy, adding a memorable touch to the event and celebrating the teams’ achievements.

On a day of significant milestones, this match became the first EFL Trophy Final televised on British cable. Screensport aired the game, drawing approximately 140,000 viewers. This broadcast helped raise the competition’s profile and introduced lower-league football to a broader audience.

Before the match, a charity football game was held to raise funds for the Bradford City disaster appeal fund, created after the Valley Parade fire in May 1985, which tragically claimed 56 lives. 

This charity event aimed to support the victims’ families and those injured, bringing together the football community in a show of solidarity and compassion during a time of mourning.

Both teams featured recognizable names, including a young Chris Kamara, who started for Brentford. For Wigan, this marked their second visit to Wembley, their first being a 1973 FA Challenge Trophy Final loss to Scarborough during their non-league days. Brentford, 

meanwhile, had only previously played at Wembley in the unofficial London War Time Cup of 1942, where they defeated Portsmouth.

Wigan took the lead in the first half when Mike Newell capitalized on a defensive error by Brentford. He swiftly seized the opportunity to score, putting the Latics ahead 1-0 before the break. This goal not only boosted Wigan’s confidence but also set the tone for the rest of the match, as they looked to build on their advantage and secure a victory in front of their supporters.

After halftime, Tony Kelly doubled Wigan’s lead, finishing off a clever back-heel pass from Graham Barrow. Though Brentford managed to pull one back just seven minutes into the second half, Wigan quickly responded with a goal from David Lowe to secure a 3-1 win and lift the EFL Trophy.

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