The 1923 FA Cup final was a football match between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United on 28 April 1923 at Wembley Stadium in London. It was the first game played at Wembley and the main event of the FA Cup. King George V attended to present the trophy to the winners.
Each team advanced through five rounds to reach the final. Bolton Wanderers won 1–0 in every round from the third onward, with David Jack scoring each goal. West Ham United played against teams from the Second Division or lower in each round, a first since the Football League added more divisions. West Ham needed three attempts to beat Southampton in the fourth round but then easily won against Derby County in the semi-final, scoring five goals.
The final was marked by chaos as huge crowds flooded into the stadium, well beyond its 125,000 capacity. An estimated 300,000 people managed to get in, causing many to spill onto the pitch. Mounted police, including one on a grey horse seen in a famous photo, were called in to clear the field so the match could proceed. The game started 45 minutes late as police worked to manage the crowd. West Ham began strongly, but Bolton dominated and won 2–0, with David Jack scoring just two minutes in and Jack Smith adding a controversial second goal in the second half.
The pre-match crowding raised concerns in the House of Commons and resulted in new safety rules for future finals. This match is known as the “White Horse Final” and is honored by the White Horse Bridge at the new Wembley Stadium.
23 years ago today, ITV interviewed a wonderful 90 year old man called Harry Dier as part of their #FACupFinal coverage.
— Stu’s Football Flashbacks (@stusfootyflash) May 16, 2021
Here, he tells his story of the famous ‘White Horse Final’ in 1923, which he attended as a teenager.
Lovely stuff. ❤️@rosenthal_jim pic.twitter.com/6TF1Ak6jFo
In our FA Cup archive, you have the full fact updates, more pictures and also a video call fromt this very special affair. You should also look up this special story from NFM.
In the match, Bolton Wanderers scored first when West Ham’s Tresadern got stuck in the crowd, letting Bolton’s David Jack score while accidentally knocking out a fan behind the goal. Bolton’s second goal was also controversial, as West Ham players argued that Jack Smith’s header hit the post; however, referee D. H. Asson believed it rebounded off a fan behind the goal.
One of the most chaotic matches in English football history ended in unexpected fashion, with both teams unable to generate significant chances after Bolton’s second goal. Smith and Jack’s goals secured the FA Cup for the North West team at Wembley.
As the dust settled, plans were made for future FA Cup Finals at Wembley to require tickets in advance. Wembley Stadium would host all FA Cup Finals until 2000, when Chelsea beat Aston Villa, before its demolition in 2002 and reopening in 2007.
The original Wembley Stadium hosted many famous football moments, including Wimbledon’s surprise win over Liverpool, Gazza’s long-range goal against Arsenal in the first FA Cup Semi-Final at Wembley, and England’s sole World Cup victory in 1966.
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