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
GK29David Vujanic
RB3Oakelfish
CB99Anesongib
CB75Poet
LB25Hurder of Buffalo
RM9RossiHD
CM10ChrisMD
CM6Spencer FC (c)
LM8Jeremy Lynch
ST11Billy Wingrove
ST8Joe Weller
Substitutes:
26NepentheZ
4TheBurntChip
14MGH
12Day
Manager:
Martin Keown
width=25!width=25
GK1Hugh Wizzy
RB4Zerkaa
CB33Wroetoshaw
CB15Behzinga
LB0
RM98Footballskills98
CM17Calfreezy
CM7Miniminter (c)
LM21Tobjizzle
ST10FifaManny
ST14Daniel Cutting
Substitutes:
11Callux
9Tobiias Gaming
87Bateson
12Richards
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.

GK29David Vujanic
RB3Spencer (c)
CB75Poet
CB23Jamie Carragher
LB70Castro
RM9Manny
CM10Robert Pires
CM6Séan Garnier
LM8Seb Carmichael-Brown
ST9Patrick Kluivert
ST14Daniel Cutting
Substitutes:
18Joe Sugg
37Chu Boi
87Bateson
2TwoSync Matt
30Hugh Wizzy
Manager:
Martin Keown
GK1Peter Schmeichel
RWB4TwoSync Chris
CB94George Benson
CB12Jimmy Conrad
CB13Elliot Crawford
LWB5Kazooie
CM16ChrisMD
CM10Jay-Jay Okocha
CM77Theo Baker
ST99Joe Weller (c)
ST27Robbie Fowler
Substitutes:
24Hjerpseth
19STR
98Kieran Brown
25BennyCentral
15Caspar 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
GK1Andy Jeffs-Watts
RB12Jimmy Conrad
CB22Sam Adams
CB4Rich Beck
LB6Spencer (c)
RM21Charlie Morley
CM23Phil Martin
CM28Jack Harrison
LM11Seb Carmichael-Brown
ST10Dan Brown
ST9Ryan Adams
Substitutes:
27Robbie Fowler
8Robbie Savage
16William Gallas
15Jemel
2Sam Ecott
77Scott Pollock
13Jacko
14Theo Baker
Manager:
Martin Keown
width=25!width=25
GK30Hugh Wizzy
RB98Kieran Brown
CB6Poet
CB13Elliot Crawford
LB77Wroetoshaw
RM7ChrisMD
CDM14Daniel Cutting
LM17Manny
CAM10Jeremy Lynch (c)
ST3Josh Pieters
ST5Séan Garnier
Substitutes:
1David James
8Steven Gerrard
21Emile Heskey
4Reev
19David Vujanic
9Joe Weller
21Tobjizzle
12KSI
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:

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

GK13Jamie Jackson
RB6Spencer (c)
CB20Marcus Stamp
CB17Jack Harrison
LB3Tom Williams
RM9Ryan Adams
CDM4Tekkers Guru
CDM15Ricky Evans
LM7Robert Pires
CAM14Theo Baker
ST16Neil Richmond
Substitutes:
100ChrisMD
8Lee Hursit
12Wes Tanser
1Andrew Cade-Watts
10Dan Brown
21Charlie Morely
5Sam Adams
11Harry Honesty
96Hashtag Harry
GK1Kaelin Martin
RB2Calfreezy (c)
CB5Reev
CB13Will Osei-Bonsu
LB3Marcus Carter
CDM4Lionel Baguma
CM15Michael Essien
CM77Sam Byles
RW14Hosier
LW8Dillon Gordon
ST23Jesse Waller-Lassen
Substitutes:
45Joe Weller
20Ali Hamid
30Robinson
91Casey Barker
93Dante
9Rory Harper
99SV2
7Reyen El-Hafidi
21Savva
GK1Lawrie Walker
RB2ManLikeHaks
CB5Callum Ellesely
CB6Joe Russell
LB3Cameron Currie
RM7Calum Best
CDM15Greg Lincoln
CDM8Bradley Simmonds
LM11Billy Wingrove (c)
CAM21Kevin De Serpa
ST4Simo Jepht
Substitutes:
17David Trezeguet
10Jeremy Lynch (c)
20Jack Fowler
71Manny
14Bradley Russell
9John Frendo
21Luis Morrison
GK13Mike Cadle
RWB4Milad Moghadam
CB7Aaron Murray
CB3Adam Boultwood
CB8Leroy Lungu
LWB0Cam Kirkham
CM11Thomas King
CM16James Allcott (c)
CM6Christian Hurley
ST21Séan Garnier
ST10Elliot Hackney
Substitutes:
2Cafu
9True Geordie
97Rocshai Palmer
1Dan Lambert
14Laurence McKenna
15Thomas Cooney
4WillNE
17Romaine Bogle
0161Stephen Tries (c)

Final

GK1Kaelin Martin
RB2Calfreezy (c)
CB5Reev
CB13Will Osei-Bonsu
LB3Marcus Carter
CDM4Lionel Baguma
CM15Michael Essien
CM77Sam Byles
RW93Dante
LW8Dillon Gordon
ST23Jesse Waller-Lassen
Substitutes:
45Joe Weller
20Ali Hamid
30Robinson
91Casey Barker
14Hosier
9Rory Harper
99SV2
7Reyen El-Hafidi
21Savva
GK1Lawrie Walker
RB14Bradley Russell
CB5Callum Ellesely
CB2Joe Russell
LB3Cameron Currie
RM7Calum Best
CDM6Simo Jepht
CDM8Bradley Simmonds
LM17David Trezeguet
CAM12Kevin De Serpa
ST9Jeremy Lynch (c)
Substitutes:
2ManLikeHaks
20Jack Fowler
71Manny
15Greg Lincoln
9John Frendo
21Luis Morrison

Wembley Cup Finals goalscorers

Player nameTeam(s)Goals scored
1 Theo BakerWeller Wanderers / Hashtag United5
2 Daniel CuttingSidemen United / Spencer FC / Tekkers Town3
3 RossiHDSpencer FC2
Patrick KluivertSpencer FC
4 Joe WellerSpencer FC / Weller Wanderers / Tekkers Town / Rebel FC1
ChrisMDSpencer FC / Weller Wanderers / Tekkers Town / Hashtag United
Billy WingroveSpencer FC / Tekkers Town / F2 FC
Robert PiresSpencer FC / Hashtag United
ChuboiSpencer FC
Seb Carmichael-BrownSpencer FC / Hashtag United
MannySidemen United / Spencer FC / Tekkers Town / F2 FC
Robbie FowlerWeller Wanderers / Hashtag United
Kieran BrownSidemen United / Weller Wanderers / Tekkers Town
Ryan AdamsHashtag United
Dan BrownHashtag United
Charlie MorleyHashtag United
Phil MartinHashtag United
Jeremy lynchSpencer FC / Tekkers Town / F2 FC
Jesse Waller LassenRebel FC
Bradley SimmondsF2 FC
David TrezeguetF2 FC

Wembley Cup Man of the Match winners

YearPlayer nameTeam(s)
2016 Theo BakerWeller Wanderers / Hashtag United
2017 Scott PollockHashtag United
2018 Jesse Waller LassenRebel FC

Players who have played in multiple tournaments

Player name(s)Team(s)YearsNumber of tournaments
1Spencer (Spencer FC)Spencer FC / Hashtag United2015, 2016, 2017, 20184
Joe WellerSpencer FC / Weller Wanderers / Tekkers Town / Rebel FC
Billy WingroveSpencer FC / Tekkers Town / F2 FC
Jeremy Lynch
Manny (FifaManny)Sidemen United / Spencer FC / Tekkers Town / F2 FC
ChrisMDSpencer FC / Weller Wanderers / Tekkers Town / Hashtag United
2Theo BakerWeller Wanderers / Hashtag United2016, 2017, 20183
Séan GarnierSpencer FC / Tekkers Town / XO FC
Kieran Brown (Footballskills98)Sidemen United / Weller Wanderers / Tekkers Town2015, 2016, 2017
Hugh WizzySidemen United / Spencer FC / Tekkers Town
Daniel Cutting
PoetSpencer FC / Tekkers Town
David Vujanic
3Andy Cade-Watts (Andy Jeffs-Watts)Hashtag United2017, 20182
Sam Adams
Charlie Morley
Jack Harrison
Dan Brown
Ryan Adams
Jamie Jackson (Jacko)
ReevTekkers Town / Rebel FC
Robert PiresSpencer FC / Hashtag United2016, 2018
CalfreezySidemen United / Rebel FC2015, 2018
Jimmy ConradWeller Wanderers / Hashtag United2016, 2017
Robbie Fowler
Elliot CrawfordWeller Wanderers / Tekkers Town
Seb Carmichael-BrownSpencer FC / Hashtag United
TobjizzleSidemen United / Tekkers Town2015, 2017
Wroetoshaw
George Benson (Hurder of Buffalo)Spencer FC / Weller Wanderers2015, 2016
BatesonSidemen United / Spencer FC

Records and statistics

Team
Individual

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.