Stockport County at Wembley – fans outside the famous stadium before the match against Luton Town, 12.04.26

Not every team gets to play at the national stadium, as much as it’s engrained in the British psyche. In fact the majority of teams won’t play there. So when Doncaster were defeated in the semi-finals of the Vertu Trophy, there was confirmed excitement – we’d actually get to watch Stockport County at Wembley!

Via planes, trains, and automobiles (one fan did indeed fly in from Melbourne), a blue mass travelled down south to see Stockport County at Wembley.

From service stations to tube stations, fans were on their way – though levels of optimism differed depending on who I spoke to.

Arriving at Wembley way is special, though. It’s the second time I’ve been here for a match and the sight of thousands of blue shirts and orange merch was fantastic to take in.

County fans were outnumbered 4-to-1 by Luton Town fans – though it was difficult to tell that as you walked towards the arch.

There was a suitable level of pomp and circumstance befitting the final – flames going off behind the flags, that type of thing.

But the highlight of the day, unquestionably – at 3.11pm when Adama Sidibeh ran through and put the ball in the Luton net.

Cue: carnage.

It was not meant to be, though, as Luton deservedly battled back and scored 3 goals of their own.

A long way back for the Hatters, made longer by the scoreline.

But we’ll always have that Sidibeh moment to remember seeing Stockport County at Wembley.