“They should be ashamed” – Eddie and Stevo hit out at rugby league’s Wembley omission

Picture by Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com - 03/10/2016 - Rugby League The Steve Prescott, First Utility Man of Steel Awards 2016 - The Point, Old Trafford Manchester Eddie and Stevo - Eddie Hemmings and Mike Stephenson

Last week Wembley Stadium celebrated its 100th birthday.

The country’s national stadium, it has been the spiritual home for the oldest and most prestigious competition in rugby league the Challenge Cup which is 126 years old this year.

In fact it is a big year for rugby league and Wembley.

After a brief detour to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last year, the Challenge Cup Final returns to Wembley.

But it isn’t just the men’s final this year. For the first time the women’s final will take place at the stadium in what will be a triple header alongside the 1895 Cup Final.

An amazing triple header for rugby league, it is a brilliant year for the sport and its return to Wembley.

However, in the celebratory graphic from the official Wembley page to celebrate 100 years of the stadium rugby league was left out.

The Wembley page did pay a special tribute to the RFL with the following post:

The damage had already for some fans who were left furious.

Speaking on their podcast, Stevo and Eddie Hemmings spoke about the omission.

Eddie said: “Rugby league has been a major part of the stadium’s history with the first cup final being played there way back in 1929.

“But what do we know not one of the 100 icons named came from our game. What a disappointment and what a kick in the teeth.”

Stevo then slammed it as: “It’s disgraceful!

“1929 Wigan vs Dewsbury started the tradition at the twin towers as it was then. It’s a wonderful weekend away, we all love it, we’ve had great times there and we’ve broadcast from there many many times.

“For the people who have organised these 100 legends they should be ashamed.

“I’ve got no quarrel with who they have selected, Spice Girls, Elton John, they’ve all appeared there but what about the likes of Shaun Edwards? Was it eight times he appeared there?

“All I’m saying is the Spice Girls have maybe been there four or five times, Elton John maybe three or four times? Not that I’ve got any qualms about it, these are international stars from all over the world and so forth but we’ve even got a statue outside it!”

Eddie responded: “We’ve got Eric Ashton, Bill Boston, Alex Murphy, Martin Offiah and Gus Risman all immortalised outside that stadium.

“I can’t understand why we don’t rate a mention in the celebration of this centenary, I really can’t.”

Stevo certainly wasn’t happy: “I get so upset in regards of the fact that all you have got to do is have a little walk out the front of Wembley and we’ve got a statue to our game.

“It’s an absolute disgrace.”

Leave a Comment
Exit mobile version