Wembley Stadium holds a special place in football history, and none more so than for hosting the legendary 1923 FA Cup Final—famously known as the “White Horse Final.” The match, played between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United, marked the official opening of the original Wembley Stadium and drew an estimated crowd of over 200,000—far exceeding its intended capacity of 125,000.
The chaotic scenes of the day were brought under control by a single mounted police officer, George Scorey, and his white horse “Billy.” The image of the horse helping clear the pitch to allow the game to start became an enduring symbol of British football culture. Despite the overcrowding, the match went ahead, with Bolton winning 2–0 in a tense encounter.
The 1923 final set the tone for Wembley’s status as the “Home of Football,” hosting generations of memorable finals and historic moments. A statue of the white horse now stands outside the rebuilt Wembley as a tribute to the extraordinary events of that day.
Nearly a century later, the “White Horse Final” remains a defining chapter in football history, blending drama, passion, and the unifying power of the game.
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