Season 22/23

Bolton Wanderers - West Ham United - FA Cupfinal - 22/23

Source : Press

Also no consideration had been dedicated to the hosts of people that would want to attend the event as an historical occasion. Consequently the stadium overfilled to the extent that hordes of people filled the entire playing and running track areas. A mounted policeman on a white horse, Police Constable G. A. Storey, cleared the pitch by walking his horse, Billie, in an ever-increasing circle. Other mounted officers followed his lead and the crowd were backed onto the touchlines. Hence the final is remembered as 'The White Horse Final'. The crowd, mostly good humoured, stood on the touchlines. At least 200,000 people were there.
Postponement was unthinkable, the King was present and a riot may have erupted.

Kick off was delayed by 44 minutes and West Ham lost 2-0 to Bolton Wanderers. In the dying minutes with Bolton winning 1-0, the West Ham half back was dragged off the ball by people on the touchline and into the crowd. A no doubt nervous referee allowed play to go on. This incident allowed a Bolton player to seize possession and they scored their second goal from the immediate attack. Oh well, its all history now.