Bristol Street Motors Trophy 'A Massive Competition' For Lower League Clubs
Adebayo Akinfenwa, one of the most charismatic characters in the recent history of the EFL, has backed the Bristol Street Motors Trophy as a ‘massive competition’ for League One and League Two clubs.
Bristol Street Motors joined forces with the EFL to become title partners of the competition back in the November during the latter stages of the group phase, when 64 teams still retained hopes of making it to Wembley Stadium for the final.
That figure of 64 included the 24 teams from League One as well as the 24 teams from League Two, with the remainder being Category 1 Academy side representing a selection of Premier League and Championship clubs.
The Road to Wembley and the Bristol Street Motors Trophy final would conclude last month as Peterborough United and Wycombe Wanderers went head-to-head under the fabled arch, with Peterborough emerging victorious after a dramatic game that included three goals in the final five minutes.
Whilst it meant a second win in the competition for Peterborough, Wycombe were appearing in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy final for the first time with former striker Akinfenwa – who started 250 games for the Chairboys – amongst those who were present in a crowd of more than 42,000.
‘The Beast’ is one of the highest scorers in competition history and scored the winning goal for Swansea City against Carlisle United back in 2006, leaving him well placed to understand its importance on the English football calendar.
“The Bristol Street Motors Trophy is a massive competition on a few fronts,” he said. “The early rounds are generally when you are seeing players who need game time to keep their fitness up, or who are coming through the ranks and are given their opportunity.
“However, there is always the fact that you know there is the chance to get to a final at the home of football at the end of it, and the opportunity to play at Wembley is a beautiful thing for anyone.
“There are elite players who are involved at the highest level who haven’t had the chance to play on the Wembley pitch, and it’s a memory that will stick with you for the rest of your life – so the chance to do it shouldn’t be underestimated.
“I’m a product of the EFL and have played in the competition, so I know it’s a beautiful thing.”
As well as success in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, Akinfenwa scored at Wembley as AFC Wimbledon beat Plymouth Argyle to win the 2016 League Two play-off final, and was part of the Wycombe side promoted to the Championship in the 2020 League One play-off final.
Akinfenwa’s career would even come to an end at Wembley following the 2022 League One play-off final, which marked his last appearance on the pitch before retiring at the age of 40.
“No one can ever understand the excitement that comes from being successful at Wembley,” he said. “There is that moment when you walk out into the arena before a game has even started, and then when you win, there is the realisation that you’ve just achieved a dream.
“Any young player from the UK will have grown up wanting to play at Wembley, and there are no words to describe the feeling that comes from seeing the enjoyment you can bring to people by winning here. You can create a moment and create a legacy, and when your career has ended and you return, all the memories come flooding back.
“It’s a powerful moment.”
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