White Horse Bridge

White Horse Bridge

The White Horse Bridge is the name of the new (2006) footbridge that crosses Wembley Stadium railway station leading up to Wembley Stadium. It is named after a grey (though appearing white in old black-and-white photographs and films) Metropolitan Police horse, named 'Billie', that was used to restore order after the huge numbers of spectators (estimated at 200,000) who turned up to witness the 1923 FA Cup final spilled onto the pitch before kick off. The game, the first to be held at the old Wembley Stadium was won by Bolton Wanderers, beating West Ham United 2-0

The naming decision took place in the form of a BBC Five Live poll, and won from a shortlist of Live Aid bridge (in memory of the 1985 concert held at the stadium), Sir Alf Ramsey (being England's World Cup winning manager), Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Geoff Hurst (two of Sir Alf's team).

The shortlist was drawn after a period where Five Live asked for nominations from the public. Amusingly, the most nominated suggestions were Dietmar Hamann, the German player who scored the winning goal against the hosts in the last game played at the old Wembley (Dietmar Hamann Bridge) and Jim Baxter, the Scottish National Team player who famously began playing "keepie-uppie" to torment the opposition during Scotland's 3 - 2 defeat of England at Wembley in 1967 (Jim Baxter Bridge). It is believed this occurred due to campaigns by Scottish, Welsh, Irish, German and Australian fans to nominate sportsmen who have embarrassed England. The countries in question have all had traditional rivalries with England.

External links

* [http://www.met.police.uk/history/billy.htm Metropolitan Police website article about Billy]
*


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