EE Wembley Cup explained

Organiser:	EE^[1]
Number Of Teams:	4
Region:	England
Current Champions:	F2 FC (First title)
Most Successful Club:	Spencer FC (Two titles)
Website:	Wembley Cup with EE
Broadcasters:	YouTube (Spencer FC)

The Wembley Cup, also known as The Wembley Cup with EE, was a charity football tournament played at Wembley Stadium in London and held annually between 2015 through 2018. Before 2018, the tournament was contested by two teams who played one standard 90-minute match. In 2018, the tournament was expanded to four teams, who played each other in a round-robin group stage of 60-minute matches, not played at Wembley, before 30-minute semi-final and final games played on the same day at Wembley.^[2]

Alongside the tournament, a companion video series was uploaded to the Spencer FC YouTube channel which would showcase a number of challenges to determine the squads for the final game. Squads consisted initially of YouTube content creators, with some ex-professionals (referred to in the series as "Legends"). In 2018, the squads were decided before the video series had started, the only exception being which legend was draft picked to play for each team. The order of this draft pick was based on the final standings of the aforementioned group stage.

All matches were also uploaded to the Spencer FC YouTube channel, with matches at Wembley from 2016 onwards being livestreamed as well as being watched by a crowd in the stadium.^{[3] [4] [5]}

The tournament was sponsored each year by mobile phone network EE, who also sponsor Wembley Stadium.^[6]

History

^[7] In August 2015,^[8] the EE Wembley Cup kicked off for the first time and it saw Spencer FC take on Sidemen United, the latter team named after the Sidemen and featured five of the group's seven members (all except KSI and Vikkstar123) as players. This Wembley Cup was played behind closed doors and had no attendees. The two captains were Spencer Owen (Spencer FC) and Miniminter (Sidemen United). This was also the only Wembley Cup not to include 'legend' players in the teams and not to be live streamed on YouTube. The final ended in Spencer FC beating Sidemen United by five goals to two. The Sidemen would later go on to host their own annual football charity matches beginning the following year after this event.

With the 2015 Wembley Cup being a hit with fans, a second season was confirmed, but this time Spencer FC faced Weller Wanderers. The two captains for the second series were Spencer Owen (Spencer FC) and Joe Weller (Weller Wanderers) The whole match was completely revamped with the introduction of the match being live streamed on YouTube, the sale of live tickets to the game, the inclusion of some former professional footballers, namely Peter Schmeichel, Robbie Fowler, Robert Pires, Jay-Jay Okocha, Patrick Kluivert and Jamie Carragher. Over 18,000 people attended live and hundreds of thousands watched the livestream on YouTube. This bought the Wembley Cup to the attention of the media and other news outlets.^[9]

The 2017 event saw two different and new teams enter the mix. Hashtag United (captained by Spencer Owen) came up against Tekkers Town (captained by the F2 Freestylers). Spencer and his side had to be on their best form to beat the 'strongest' YouTube footballing team out there. The third series saw five new Footballing 'Legends' entering the mix. Robbie Fowler was the only 'Legend' from Series Two to be in Series Three. He was joined by David James, Robbie Savage, Steven Gerrard, Emile Heskey and William Gallas. Rio Ferdinand was set to play in the Wembley Cup 2017 Final but unfortunately sustained an injury which ruled him out. The Frenchman, William Gallas had big boots to fill. Much like the second Wembley Cup, it was live streamed on YouTube, tickets available for purchase and 'legends' making an appearance. The third season of the Wembley Cup was a landmark for YouTube football as it doubled the YouTube football attendance record set by the previous Wembley Cup from 18,00 to 34,172.^[10] It was also the first time the FA trialled VAR at Wembley, although it was not called upon within the game. Spencer Owen's Hashtag United came out on top when they comfortably beat Tekkers Town 6-1.

The 2018 series consisted of four teams battling it out in a Group Stage format. These teams were Hashtag United, F2 FC, XO FC and Rebel FC. Hashtag United come out on top of the group with F2 FC coming 2nd, XO FC coming third and Rebel FC finishing fourth. Hashtag United faced Rebel FC in the first Semi Final and XO FC came up against F2 FC in the second Semi Final. Rebel FC shocked the YouTube Football scene when they came out victorious against the holders Hashtag United. The game ended 0-1. For this series, EE introduced new rules, including a fast and furious 30-minute match format, Man Down Time and Sin Bins, turning the traditional footballing tournament on its head. The live semi-final, which saw F2 FC & XO FC go head to head, was the first game in The EE Wembley Cup Final history to see Man Down time brought into play. A new rule which saw a player from each team leave the field every minute until a team scores. The second semi final between F2 FC & XO FC ended in a 0-0 draw and had to be decided in the 'dreaded' Man Down stage. Bradley Simmonds stole the match for F2 FC as the players were quickly dropping off the field. This set up a final between Rebel FC and F2 FC. The French Footballing 'Legend', David Trezeguet opened the scoring after a looping volley which forced Rebel FC Goalkeeper, Kaelin Martin make an unfortunate mistake which ultimately led to F2 FC grabbing their first ever Wembley Cup trophy.

2015 Wembley Cup

The 2015 Wembley Cup was the inaugural edition of the Wembley Cup, an annual football competition contested by two teams. It took place at Wembley Stadium in London, England.

Spencer FC beat Sidemen United 5-2 in the final to win the competition and their first title.

width=25 ! width=25 GK 29 David Vujanic RB 3 Oakelfish CB 99 Anesongib CB 75 Poet LB 25 Hurder of Buffalo RM 9 RossiHD CM 10 ChrisMD CM 6 Spencer FC (c) LM 8 Jeremy Lynch ST 11 Billy Wingrove ST 8 Joe Weller Substitutes: 26 NepentheZ 4 TheBurntChip 14 MGH 12 Day Manager: Martin Keown

width=25 ! width=25 GK 1 Hugh Wizzy RB 4 Zerkaa CB 33 Wroetoshaw CB 15 Behzinga LB 0 RM 98 Footballskills98 CM 17 Calfreezy CM 7 Miniminter (c) LM 21 Tobjizzle ST 10 FifaManny ST 14 Daniel Cutting Substitutes: 11 Callux 9 Tobiias Gaming 87 Bateson 12 Richards Manager: Ray Wilkins

2016 Wembley Cup

The 2016 Wembley Cup was contested by two teams. It took place at Wembley Stadium.

Spencer FC beat Weller Wanderers 7-4 in the final to win the competition and their second title.

GK 29 David Vujanic RB 3 Spencer (c) CB 75 Poet CB 23 Jamie Carragher LB 70 Castro RM 9 Manny CM 10 Robert Pires CM 6 Séan Garnier LM 8 Seb Carmichael-Brown ST 9 Patrick Kluivert ST 14 Daniel Cutting Substitutes: 18 Joe Sugg 37 Chu Boi 87 Bateson 2 TwoSync Matt 30 Hugh Wizzy Manager: Martin Keown

GK 1 Peter Schmeichel RWB 4 TwoSync Chris CB 94 George Benson CB 12 Jimmy Conrad CB 13 Elliot Crawford LWB 5 Kazooie CM 16 ChrisMD CM 10 Jay-Jay Okocha CM 77 Theo Baker ST 99 Joe Weller (c) ST 27 Robbie Fowler Substitutes: 24 Hjerpseth 19 STR 98 Kieran Brown 25 BennyCentral 15 Caspar Lee Manager: Stuart Pearce

2017 Wembley Cup

The 2017 Wembley Cup was contested by two teams. It took place at Wembley Stadium.Rio Ferdinand was supposed to play for Hashtag United, but did not due to injury, so William Gallas took his place for the game.

Hashtag United beat Tekkers Town 6-1 in the final to win the competition and their third title.

width=25 ! width=25 GK 1 Andy Jeffs-Watts RB 12 Jimmy Conrad CB 22 Sam Adams CB 4 Rich Beck LB 6 Spencer (c) RM 21 Charlie Morley CM 23 Phil Martin CM 28 Jack Harrison LM 11 Seb Carmichael-Brown ST 10 Dan Brown ST 9 Ryan Adams Substitutes: 27 Robbie Fowler 8 Robbie Savage 16 William Gallas 15 Jemel 2 Sam Ecott 77 Scott Pollock 13 Jacko 14 Theo Baker Manager: Martin Keown

width=25 ! width=25 GK 30 Hugh Wizzy RB 98 Kieran Brown CB 6 Poet CB 13 Elliot Crawford LB 77 Wroetoshaw RM 7 ChrisMD CDM 14 Daniel Cutting LM 17 Manny CAM 10 Jeremy Lynch (c) ST 3 Josh Pieters ST 5 Séan Garnier Substitutes: 1 David James 8 Steven Gerrard 21 Emile Heskey 4 Reev 19 David Vujanic 9 Joe Weller 21 Tobjizzle 12 KSI Manager: Stuart Pearce

2018 Wembley Cup

The 2018 Wembley Cup was the fourth edition of the Wembley Cup. The 2018 competition was the first to be contested by four teams, in a four way tournament style. It was also the first to introduce Man Down or Golden Goal, which is where a player was removed for every minute without a goal. Eventually only the goalkeepers remained, and a goal ends the extra time period.

The first two games played were Hashtag United VS Rebel FC Followed by F2 FC VS XO FC. The winners of each game played each other in the final. As a result of the first two fixtures, the final was Rebel FC vs F2 FC. All three matches were played at Wembley Stadium, London.

There were four legends and four YouTubers, whose teams were decided in a draft style format. Draft picks were as follows:

• Hashtag United: ChrisMD (YouTuber), Robert Pires (Legend)
• XO FC: Séan Garnier (YouTuber), Cafu (Legend)
• F2 FC: Manny (YouTuber), David Trezeguet (Legend)
• Rebel FC: Joe Weller (YouTuber), Michael Essien (Legend)^[11]

Group stage - Round One

Spencer Owen (c) Theo Baker Charlie Morley Hashtag Harry Tom Williams Sam Adams Tekkers Guru Wes Tanser Ricky Evans Lee Hursit Jack Harrison Harry Honesty Marcus Stamp Andrew Cade-Watts Jamie Jackson Ryan Adams Dan Brown Neil Richmond

Calfreezy (c) Reev Casey Barker SV2 Will Osei-Bonsu Marcus Carter Ali Hamid Lionel Baguma Andrew Williams Dillon Gordon Andrew Samuels Reyen El-Hafidi Sam Byles Rory Harper Jesse Waller-Lassen Andrew Savva Kaelin Martin

Billy Wingrove (c) Jeremy Lynch (c) ManLikeHaks Calum Best Bradley Simmonds Simo Jepht Kevin De Serpa Callum Ellesely Joe Russell Cameron Currie Bradley Russell Lawrie Walker Luis Morrison Greg Lincoln John Frendo Jack Fowler

Stephen Tries (c) WillNE True Geordie Laurence McKenna Leroy Lungu Adam Boultwood Milad Moghadam Christian Hurley James Allcott Aaron Murray Thomas King Cam Kirkham Thomas Cooney Dan Lambert Rocshai Palmer Romaine Bogle Elliot Hackney Mike Cadle

Group stage - Round Two

Spencer Owen (c) Theo Baker Charlie Morley Hashtag Harry Tom Williams Sam Adams Tekkers Guru Wes Tanser Ricky Evans Lee Hursit Jack Harrison Harry Honesty Marcus Stamp Andrew Cade-Watts Jamie Jackson Ryan Adams Dan Brown Neil Richmond

Stephen Tries (c) WillNE True Geordie Laurence McKenna Leroy Lungu Adam Boultwood Milad Moghadam Christian Hurley James Allcott Aaron Murray Thomas King Cam Kirkham Thomas Cooney Dan Lambert Rocshai Palmer Romaine Bogle Elliot Hackney Mike Cadle

Billy Wingrove (c) Jeremy Lynch (c) ManLikeHaks Calum Best Bradley Simmonds Simo Jepht Kevin De Serpa Callum Ellesely Joe Russell Cameron Currie Bradley Russell Lawrie Walker Luis Morrison Greg Lincoln John Frendo Jack Fowler

Calfreezy (c) Reev Casey Barker SV2 Will Osei-Bonsu Marcus Carter Ali Hamid Lionel Baguma Andrew Williams Dillon Gordon Andrew Samuels Reyen El-Hafidi Sam Byles Rory Harper Jesse Waller-Lassen Andrew Savva Kaelin Martin

Group stage - Round Three

Spencer Owen (c) Theo Baker Charlie Morley Hashtag Harry Tom Williams Sam Adams Tekkers Guru Wes Tanser Ricky Evans Lee Hursit Jack Harrison Harry Honesty Marcus Stamp Andrew Cade-Watts Jamie Jackson Ryan Adams Dan Brown Neil Richmond

Billy Wingrove (c) Jeremy Lynch (c) ManLikeHaks Calum Best Bradley Simmonds Simo Jepht Kevin De Serpa Callum Ellesely Joe Russell Cameron Currie Bradley Russell Lawrie Walker Luis Morrison Greg Lincoln John Frendo Jack Fowler

Calfreezy (c) Reev Casey Barker SV2 Will Osei-Bonsu Marcus Carter Ali Hamid Lionel Baguma Andrew Williams Dillon Gordon Andrew Samuels Reyen El-Hafidi Sam Byles Rory Harper Jesse Waller-Lassen Andrew Savva Kaelin Martin

Stephen Tries (c) WillNE True Geordie Laurence McKenna Leroy Lungu Adam Boultwood Milad Moghadam Christian Hurley James Allcott Aaron Murray Thomas King Cam Kirkham Thomas Cooney Dan Lambert Rocshai Palmer Romaine Bogle Elliot Hackney Mike Cadle

Semi-finals

GK 13 Jamie Jackson RB 6 Spencer (c) CB 20 Marcus Stamp CB 17 Jack Harrison LB 3 Tom Williams RM 9 Ryan Adams CDM 4 Tekkers Guru CDM 15 Ricky Evans LM 7 Robert Pires CAM 14 Theo Baker ST 16 Neil Richmond Substitutes: 100 ChrisMD 8 Lee Hursit 12 Wes Tanser 1 Andrew Cade-Watts 10 Dan Brown 21 Charlie Morely 5 Sam Adams 11 Harry Honesty 96 Hashtag Harry

GK 1 Kaelin Martin RB 2 Calfreezy (c) CB 5 Reev CB 13 Will Osei-Bonsu LB 3 Marcus Carter CDM 4 Lionel Baguma CM 15 Michael Essien CM 77 Sam Byles RW 14 Hosier LW 8 Dillon Gordon ST 23 Jesse Waller-Lassen Substitutes: 45 Joe Weller 20 Ali Hamid 30 Robinson 91 Casey Barker 93 Dante 9 Rory Harper 99 SV2 7 Reyen El-Hafidi 21 Savva

GK 1 Lawrie Walker RB 2 ManLikeHaks CB 5 Callum Ellesely CB 6 Joe Russell LB 3 Cameron Currie RM 7 Calum Best CDM 15 Greg Lincoln CDM 8 Bradley Simmonds LM 11 Billy Wingrove (c) CAM 21 Kevin De Serpa ST 4 Simo Jepht Substitutes: 17 David Trezeguet 10 Jeremy Lynch (c) 20 Jack Fowler 71 Manny 14 Bradley Russell 9 John Frendo 21 Luis Morrison

GK 13 Mike Cadle RWB 4 Milad Moghadam CB 7 Aaron Murray CB 3 Adam Boultwood CB 8 Leroy Lungu LWB 0 Cam Kirkham CM 11 Thomas King CM 16 James Allcott (c) CM 6 Christian Hurley ST 21 Séan Garnier ST 10 Elliot Hackney Substitutes: 2 Cafu 9 True Geordie 97 Rocshai Palmer 1 Dan Lambert 14 Laurence McKenna 15 Thomas Cooney 4 WillNE 17 Romaine Bogle 0161 Stephen Tries (c)

Final

GK 1 Kaelin Martin RB 2 Calfreezy (c) CB 5 Reev CB 13 Will Osei-Bonsu LB 3 Marcus Carter CDM 4 Lionel Baguma CM 15 Michael Essien CM 77 Sam Byles RW 93 Dante LW 8 Dillon Gordon ST 23 Jesse Waller-Lassen Substitutes: 45 Joe Weller 20 Ali Hamid 30 Robinson 91 Casey Barker 14 Hosier 9 Rory Harper 99 SV2 7 Reyen El-Hafidi 21 Savva

GK 1 Lawrie Walker RB 14 Bradley Russell CB 5 Callum Ellesely CB 2 Joe Russell LB 3 Cameron Currie RM 7 Calum Best CDM 6 Simo Jepht CDM 8 Bradley Simmonds LM 17 David Trezeguet CAM 12 Kevin De Serpa ST 9 Jeremy Lynch (c) Substitutes: 2 ManLikeHaks 20 Jack Fowler 71 Manny 15 Greg Lincoln 9 John Frendo 21 Luis Morrison

Wembley Cup Finals goalscorers

	Player name	Team(s)	Goals scored
1	Theo Baker	Weller Wanderers / Hashtag United	5
2	Daniel Cutting	Sidemen United / Spencer FC / Tekkers Town	3
3	RossiHD	Spencer FC	2
Patrick Kluivert	Spencer FC
4	Joe Weller	Spencer FC / Weller Wanderers / Tekkers Town / Rebel FC	1
	ChrisMD	Spencer FC / Weller Wanderers / Tekkers Town / Hashtag United
	Billy Wingrove	Spencer FC / Tekkers Town / F2 FC
	Robert Pires	Spencer FC / Hashtag United
	Chuboi	Spencer FC
	Seb Carmichael-Brown	Spencer FC / Hashtag United
	Manny	Sidemen United / Spencer FC / Tekkers Town / F2 FC
	Robbie Fowler	Weller Wanderers / Hashtag United
	Kieran Brown	Sidemen United / Weller Wanderers / Tekkers Town
	Ryan Adams	Hashtag United
	Dan Brown	Hashtag United
	Charlie Morley	Hashtag United
	Phil Martin	Hashtag United
	Jeremy lynch	Spencer FC / Tekkers Town / F2 FC
	Jesse Waller Lassen	Rebel FC
	Bradley Simmonds	F2 FC
	David Trezeguet	F2 FC

Wembley Cup Man of the Match winners

• No player was awarded Man Of The Match in 2015

Year	Player name	Team(s)
2016	Theo Baker	Weller Wanderers / Hashtag United
2017	Scott Pollock	Hashtag United
2018	Jesse Waller Lassen	Rebel FC

Players who have played in multiple tournaments

	Player name(s)	Team(s)	Years	Number of tournaments
1	Spencer (Spencer FC)	Spencer FC / Hashtag United	2015, 2016, 2017, 2018	4
	Joe Weller	Spencer FC / Weller Wanderers / Tekkers Town / Rebel FC
	Billy Wingrove	Spencer FC / Tekkers Town / F2 FC
	Jeremy Lynch
	Manny (FifaManny)	Sidemen United / Spencer FC / Tekkers Town / F2 FC
	ChrisMD	Spencer FC / Weller Wanderers / Tekkers Town / Hashtag United
2	Theo Baker	Weller Wanderers / Hashtag United	2016, 2017, 2018	3
	Séan Garnier	Spencer FC / Tekkers Town / XO FC
	Kieran Brown (Footballskills98)	Sidemen United / Weller Wanderers / Tekkers Town	2015, 2016, 2017
	Hugh Wizzy	Sidemen United / Spencer FC / Tekkers Town
	Daniel Cutting
	Poet	Spencer FC / Tekkers Town
	David Vujanic
3	Andy Cade-Watts (Andy Jeffs-Watts)	Hashtag United	2017, 2018	2
	Sam Adams
	Charlie Morley
	Jack Harrison
	Dan Brown
	Ryan Adams
	Jamie Jackson (Jacko)
	Reev	Tekkers Town / Rebel FC
	Robert Pires	Spencer FC / Hashtag United	2016, 2018
	Calfreezy	Sidemen United / Rebel FC	2015, 2018
	Jimmy Conrad	Weller Wanderers / Hashtag United	2016, 2017
	Robbie Fowler
	Elliot Crawford	Weller Wanderers / Tekkers Town
	Seb Carmichael-Brown	Spencer FC / Hashtag United
	Tobjizzle	Sidemen United / Tekkers Town	2015, 2017
	Wroetoshaw
	George Benson (Hurder of Buffalo)	Spencer FC / Weller Wanderers	2015, 2016
	Bateson	Sidemen United / Spencer FC

Records and statistics

Team

• Most wins: 2:
  • Spencer FC: 2015, 2016
• Most consecutive wins: 2:
  • Spencer FC: 2015, 2016
• Most goals in a final: 11:
  • Spencer FC 7–4 Weller Wanderers

Individual

• Most wins by player: 3, Spencer Owen (Hashtag United)
• Most wins by manager: 3, Martin Keown, 2015, 2016, 2017
• Youngest Wembley Cup player: Scott Pollock (Hashtag United), 16 years
• Most goals in a single final: RossiHD, Daniel Cutting, Patrick Kluivert, Theo Baker (twice): 2
• Most final goals: Theo Baker: 4

Notes and References

1. Web site: The Wembley Cup with EE: Portrait of an activation. SportBusiness. 13 October 2017. SBG Companies. 19 November 2018. 24 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180824205532/https://www.sportbusiness.com/sponsorship-insider/wembley-cup-ee-portrait-activation. dead.
2. Web site: 11 November 2018. HASHTAG vs REBEL & F2 vs XO!- Wembley Cup 2018 Group Stage Ep1. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20211120232921/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A1rGaDRSNE&t=137s . 20 November 2021 . 19 September 2020. Spencer FC. YouTube.
3. Web site: 2 September 2016. THE WEMBLEY CUP 2016: LIVE FINAL - Spencer FC vs Weller Wanderers. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160902103541/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6Tyn0uH-ZM&gl=US&hl=en . 2 September 2016 . 19 September 2020. Spencer FC. YouTube.
4. Web site: 7 October 2017. Wembley Cup 2017 LIVE FINAL: Hashtag United vs Tekkers Town. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171007000500/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YL9uHq4HsQI . 7 October 2017 . 19 September 2020. Spencer FC. YouTube.
5. Web site: 25 November 2018. Wembley Cup LIVE FINAL 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20181125160126/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYzWEb4Ho6I&gl=US&hl=en . 25 November 2018 . 19 September 2020. Spencer FC. YouTube.
6. Web site: Hashtag win the Wembley Cup. Hashtag United. 10 October 2017. YouTube.
7. Web site: The Road to the Wembley Cup: EE's Winning YouTube Formula. Think with Google. 17 March 2020. Google UK. November 2015.
8. Web site: EE brings football-mad YouTubers together in 'the Wembley Cup' web series. McCarthy. John. 15 July 2015. The Drum. 25 November 2018.
9. Web site: EE launches third series of The Wembley Cup. 8 August 2017. Comic Relief. 25 November 2018. 25 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180825002558/https://www.comicrelief.com/news/ee-launches-third-series-wembley-cup. dead.
10. Web site: Spencer FC & F2 Freestylers set to battle as The Wembley Cup returns. 7 August 2017. Evening Standard. ESI Media. 25 November 2018.
11. Web site: The Draft! - Wembley Cup 2018 - Which Legends & YouTubers will get picked?!. YouTube. 22 November 2018. Spencer FC.