In 1923, the then brand new Wembley Stadium hosted its very first FA Cup Final.
Over 100,000 fans - some say it could even as been as high as a mind-boggling 300,000 - crammed into the 82,000-capacity stadium to watch my hometown team Bolton Wanderers play West Ham United.
Mounted policemen, including one on a light-coloured horse which became the defining image of the day, had to be brought in to clear the crowds from the pitch and allow the match to take place. The match began 45 minutes late as crowds stood around the perimeter of the pitch. Bolton eventually won 2-0 and the first ever FA Cup Final to be held at Wembley has become known as the White Horse Final. Today, the White Horse Bridge at Wembley commemmorates that famous final.
Wembley and its surroundings have undergone dramatic changes over the years, from the original Wembley's iconic twin towers to the Wembley arch of today's 90,000 capacity stadium.
The 85-acre development has made the Wembley area one of the most popular arenas in the world, but the sense of community has been retained thanks to bustling markets and the regularity of prestigious events.
Today Wembley is the second-largest sports stadium in Europe and probably the most famous sports stadium in the world.
Here, ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup Final, Sportsmail offers a glimpse into the past as the images below bring Wembley's stunning transformation to life.
Now and then images reveal home of English football in all its glory: Wembley's transformation pictured ahead of FA Cup final
Arsenal face Premier League rivals Aston Villa in the 2015 FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday
Wembley first opened in 1923 before being demolished and reopened in 2007
The famous stadium now holds 90,000 people and hosts a number of prestigious events
Wembley Stadium has helped revitalise the area, attracting 5million visitors a year
By Ashley Clements for MailOnline
29 May 2015
Daily Mail
This weekend, thousands of excited Arsenal and Aston Villa fans will be heading down Wembley Way hoping to see their beloved teams lift the FA Cup.
Since its original opening in 1923, a day out at Wembley has been a family favourite whether it be for entertainment or sporting events such as Saturday's FA Cup final.
The area and its surroundings have undergone dramatic changes over the years, from the original Wembley's iconic twin towers to the Wembley arch of today's 90,000 capacity stadium.
The 85-acre development has made the Wembley area one of the most popular arenas in the world, but the sense of community has been retained thanks to bustling markets and the regularity of prestigious events.
Here, Sportsmail offers a glimpse into the past as the images below bring Wembley's stunning transformation to life.
90,000 fans will head to Wembley Stadium on Saturday as Arsenal face Premier League rivals Aston Villa in the FA Cup final. The stadium in its current form is pictured, after being completely rebuilt on the same site as the original sporting arena, with the work completed in 2007
The new Wembley was reconstructed between 2003 and 2007 complete with the new Wembley arch, which has become as iconic as the original twin towers. The demolition of the old Wembley's famous twin towers in 2003 upset many members of the public
Wembley held its first ever FA Cup final in 1923 as Bolton Wanderers earned a 2-0 victory against West Ham United and a rumoured 200,000 fans - maybe even 300,000 - squeezed into the new 82,000 capacity arena!
The famous Olympic Way (top), now more commonly known as Wembley Way sees fans walk towards the arch rather than drive up to the now demolished twin towers
Road signs are displayed around Wembley as the famous stadium prepared for the 1948 London Olympics
The Wembley Park signage now directs fans to the London Designer Outlet which features 70 shops and restaurants
Athletes trying out one of the banked turns of the indoor wooden track, in a car park near Wembley Stadium (top) as a group of runners take part in a sports and music 10km running event in 2014
Wembley Park was selected as the location for Victorian pleasure gardens because of its quick and easy access from central London
With the building of the Metropolitan Line - the same site now has three stations and multiple overland and tube lines
As seen here, Wembley has a long history of markets and until recently the area hosted the largest market in Europe
The new programme of markets ranges from a traditional Sunday market to antique, French and a Christmas market around an ice rink
London's April downpour couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of these Liverpool fans (left), garlanded with the colours of their team and ringing a hand-bell, as they toured the city before going to the FA Cup final between Arsenal and Liverpool in 1950
Hull City fans cheer for their team ahead of the 2014 FA Cup final against Arsenal which ended 3-2 to Arsene Wenger's side
At the opening of the British Empire Exhibition (1924-1925), King George V made the first royal live broadcast and sent a telegraph around the world in 1 minute 20 seconds, cementing Wembley's association with technological innovation
2013 saw the opening of the London Designer Outlet, with 70 shops and restaurants, a nine-screen cinema and an all-weather children’s play park
Now and then images reveal home of English football in all its glory: Wembley's transformation pictured ahead of FA Cup final | Daily Mail Online
Over 100,000 fans - some say it could even as been as high as a mind-boggling 300,000 - crammed into the 82,000-capacity stadium to watch my hometown team Bolton Wanderers play West Ham United.
Mounted policemen, including one on a light-coloured horse which became the defining image of the day, had to be brought in to clear the crowds from the pitch and allow the match to take place. The match began 45 minutes late as crowds stood around the perimeter of the pitch. Bolton eventually won 2-0 and the first ever FA Cup Final to be held at Wembley has become known as the White Horse Final. Today, the White Horse Bridge at Wembley commemmorates that famous final.
Wembley and its surroundings have undergone dramatic changes over the years, from the original Wembley's iconic twin towers to the Wembley arch of today's 90,000 capacity stadium.
The 85-acre development has made the Wembley area one of the most popular arenas in the world, but the sense of community has been retained thanks to bustling markets and the regularity of prestigious events.
Today Wembley is the second-largest sports stadium in Europe and probably the most famous sports stadium in the world.
Here, ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup Final, Sportsmail offers a glimpse into the past as the images below bring Wembley's stunning transformation to life.
Now and then images reveal home of English football in all its glory: Wembley's transformation pictured ahead of FA Cup final
Arsenal face Premier League rivals Aston Villa in the 2015 FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday
Wembley first opened in 1923 before being demolished and reopened in 2007
The famous stadium now holds 90,000 people and hosts a number of prestigious events
Wembley Stadium has helped revitalise the area, attracting 5million visitors a year
By Ashley Clements for MailOnline
29 May 2015
Daily Mail
This weekend, thousands of excited Arsenal and Aston Villa fans will be heading down Wembley Way hoping to see their beloved teams lift the FA Cup.
Since its original opening in 1923, a day out at Wembley has been a family favourite whether it be for entertainment or sporting events such as Saturday's FA Cup final.
The area and its surroundings have undergone dramatic changes over the years, from the original Wembley's iconic twin towers to the Wembley arch of today's 90,000 capacity stadium.
The 85-acre development has made the Wembley area one of the most popular arenas in the world, but the sense of community has been retained thanks to bustling markets and the regularity of prestigious events.
Here, Sportsmail offers a glimpse into the past as the images below bring Wembley's stunning transformation to life.
90,000 fans will head to Wembley Stadium on Saturday as Arsenal face Premier League rivals Aston Villa in the FA Cup final. The stadium in its current form is pictured, after being completely rebuilt on the same site as the original sporting arena, with the work completed in 2007
The new Wembley was reconstructed between 2003 and 2007 complete with the new Wembley arch, which has become as iconic as the original twin towers. The demolition of the old Wembley's famous twin towers in 2003 upset many members of the public
The famous Olympic Way (top), now more commonly known as Wembley Way sees fans walk towards the arch rather than drive up to the now demolished twin towers
Athletes trying out one of the banked turns of the indoor wooden track, in a car park near Wembley Stadium (top) as a group of runners take part in a sports and music 10km running event in 2014
Wembley Park was selected as the location for Victorian pleasure gardens because of its quick and easy access from central London
The new programme of markets ranges from a traditional Sunday market to antique, French and a Christmas market around an ice rink
Hull City fans cheer for their team ahead of the 2014 FA Cup final against Arsenal which ended 3-2 to Arsene Wenger's side
At the opening of the British Empire Exhibition (1924-1925), King George V made the first royal live broadcast and sent a telegraph around the world in 1 minute 20 seconds, cementing Wembley's association with technological innovation
Now and then images reveal home of English football in all its glory: Wembley's transformation pictured ahead of FA Cup final | Daily Mail Online
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