Shrimpers Dream of First Domestic Trophy at Wembley! 💙🏆
Sunday 17 May 2026 • Wembley Stadium • Kick-off 4:30pm • Isuzu FA Trophy Final
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How to Watch
Wembley Bound Once Again – This Time We Mean Business!
After the absolute heartbreak of last year’s play-off final at Wembley, we’re heading back to the national stadium this Sunday – and this time it’s for the Isuzu FA Trophy Final against our National League rivals Wealdstone.
This is our fourth cup final under that famous arch in club history, and we’ve waited long enough for our first domestic trophy. We’ve lost three times before (2004, 2005 and 2013), but we know what it feels like to win at Wembley – that 2015 League Two play-off final still gives every Shrimper goosebumps! Over 22,000 of us have already snapped up tickets, and the north-west corner is going to be a sea of blue and a wall of noise. Chairman Justin Rees nailed it when he said:
“The chance to win a trophy at Wembley, at any level of football, you shouldn’t take that for granted. There are enough tough times, you may as well enjoy the good ones when they come along – and this will certainly be one of the good ones.”
Wealdstone knocked us out of the FA Cup earlier this season, but we got sweet revenge with a 2-1 win on the last day of the league season. First time they’ve ever been to the new Wembley… let’s make sure it’s one they’ll want to forget! Come on you Shrimpers – let’s bring that silverware home to Roots Hall! 💙
What is the FA Trophy?
The FA Trophy has been going since 1969 and it’s the biggest cup competition for non-league clubs (Steps 1–4 of the pyramid). Winning it means lifting the trophy at Wembley and pocketing £60,000 – proper silverware and proper glory for clubs like us. Last season’s winners were Aldershot Town, but this year it’s our turn. We’ve earned this after five tough wins on the road to the final, and the whole non-league family is buzzing for Non-League Finals Day.
Matchday Essentials – Don’t Get Caught Out!
| What You Need to Know | Friendly Reminder |
|---|---|
| Bag Policy | Strict A4-size max. Anything bigger and you’re turned away – check the rules before you leave home! |
| Payment | Totally cashless inside Wembley. Cards and contactless only – no cash at the kiosks. |
| Gates & Arrival | Gates open 2:30pm. Arrive early – expect massive queues with 22,000+ of us there! |
| Our End | North-west corner is ours – let’s make it the loudest in the stadium! |
Coach Travel – Shrimpers Trust Official Coaches
Heading down by official coach? Brilliant choice – the Shrimpers Trust has sorted it perfectly. Just make sure you’ve got your Booking Confirmation or PayPal receipt ready to show when you board.
| Pickup Point | Departure Time |
|---|---|
|
Southend (Roots Hall) Victoria Avenue – bottom gate |
11:00am (gates open 10:15am for queuing) |
|
Basildon (The Watermill) Northbound carriageway bus stop opposite the pub |
12:00pm |
🚫 NO alcohol, smoking or vaping on the coaches. Travel safe, travel together, and enjoy the day responsibly!
Southend United FanPark at Boxpark – Pre-Match Party!
Before kick-off, come and join the Shrimpers Army at the official FanPark in Boxpark Wembley! DJs, live music, over 20 food vendors, massive bars and giveaways – it’s going to be absolutely electric. Perfect way to build the atmosphere with the lads.
⚠️ Southend & AFC Stoneham fans only • Match ticket holders only • No screening of the games
General admission before 12:30pm (first come, first served) • £12 after if space allows • Open until 11pm
Getting to Wembley – Sunday Travel Chaos Explained
With thousands of us Shrimpers heading to Wembley, Sunday’s travel is going to be “character-building” as we like to say round here. But we’ve got you covered – here’s the friendly lowdown so you’re not stuck.
c2c Engineering Works – What’s Happening
No trains to or from Fenchurch Street all day. Everything is diverted to Liverpool Street. Trains stop at Stratford but NOT Limehouse or West Ham. Grays ↔ Upminster shuttle is running via Ockendon. Rainham line trains go all the way to Shoeburyness.
Best route for most of us: Southend → Liverpool Street → Metropolitan line straight to Wembley Park.
Your c2c Ticket Works On:
- District line (Tower Hill ↔ West Ham ↔ Barking)
- Jubilee line (Stratford ↔ West Ham)
- DLR (Tower Gateway, Limehouse, West Ham, Stratford)
Wembley Park & Wembley Central Tips
- No step-free access between Wembley Way and ticket hall – use Bridge Road entrance instead.
- Between 6:30pm–7:30pm Wembley Central will be heaving: High Road entrance is exit-only, entry via London Road (not step-free).
Other TfL bits: Central line closed Leytonstone ↔ Marble Arch, DLR major suspensions, Waterloo & City fully closed, Elizabeth line part-closed. Leave early, check TfL app, and we’ll see you in the stands!
Our Route to Wembley vs Wealdstone’s Route
Southend United’s Route 🔥
| Round | Opponent | Score | Key Goalscorers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3R | Truro City (H) | 4-0 | Cardwell, Bridge (2), Walker |
| 4R | Bath City (A) | 3-1 | Scott-Morriss, Austin, Chambers-Parillon |
| 5R | Chatham Town (A) | 1-0 | Scott-Morriss (pen) |
| QF | Horsham (A) | 2-1 | Appiah-Forson, Bridge |
| SF | Southport (A) | 3-1 | Kendall (2), Bridge |
Wealdstone’s Route
| Round | Opponent | Score | Key Goalscorers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3R | Cheshunt (H) | 2-1 | Obiero, McAvoy |
| 4R | Dagenham (H) | 1-0 | Obiero |
| 5R | Forest Green (A) | 3-0 | Boldewijn, Olomola, Adarkwa |
| QF | Kidderminster (A) | 1-1 (5-6) Pens |
Adarkwa • Pens won |
| SF | Marine (H) | 1-0 | Obiero (90+4’) |
Recent Form Snapshot
| Team | Last 6 Results |
|---|---|
| Southend United | L 0-1 Scunthorpe (play-off) • W 2-1 Wealdstone • L 3-4 Hartlepool • W 6-2 Halifax • W 2-0 Aldershot • D 0-0 Solihull |
| Wealdstone | L 1-2 Southend • D 1-1 Scunthorpe • D 1-1 Boston • L 1-2 Rochdale • W 3-0 Aldershot • L 1-5 Boreham Wood |
The Shrimpers-online Predicted XI (5-3-2)
SCOTT-MORRIS • GOODLIFFE • RALPH • GUBBINS • BRIDGE
APPIAH-FORSON • MORTON • COKER
CARDWELL • DALLAS
Captain Nathan Ralph is hoping to feature despite his knee injury – fingers crossed! Harry Taylor is suspended though.
How to Watch – Non-League Finals Day on TNT Sports
Can’t make it? No worries – both games are live on TNT Sports & HBO Max:
- 12:30pm – FA Vase Final: AFC Stoneham vs Cockfosters (TNT Sports 5)
- 4:30pm – FA Trophy Final: Southend United vs Wealdstone (TNT Sports 4)
This is our fourth Wembley final in club history.
The Shrimpers Army will be massive under the arch.
Let’s bring that silverware back to Roots Hall!
COME ON YOU SHRIMPERS! 💙🏆 #ShrimpersAtWembley
The Shrimpers-online • May 2026