Sheffield Eagles Eyeing Second 1895 Cup Crown at Wembley
As the upcoming AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final approaches on June 8th, Sheffield Eagles are gearing up for their second appearance at Wembley Stadium in the past five years. The club boasts an impressive 100% winning record at the iconic venue, having emerged victorious in their previous three visits to the country’s National Stadium.
Leading the Eagles’ charge is veteran captain Anthony Thackeray, who has made over 100 appearances for the South Yorkshire side. The 38-year-old fondly recalls the club’s inaugural 1895 Cup triumph in 2019, where he was awarded the Ray French Player of the Match accolade. Now, in what will be his final season as a professional, Thackeray is eager to lift the trophy once again and etch his name in Sheffield’s history books.
“It’s everyone’s dream growing up to play at massive stadiums and they don’t come any bigger than Wembley,” Thackeray said. “It was a dream come true, and such a big occasion because it was the first year of the competition.”
To reach the 1895 Cup Final, Sheffield had to overcome a tough challenge from the York Knights in the semi-finals, emerging victorious with a 28-18 away win. Thackeray acknowledged the difficulty of the encounter, but praised his team’s resilience in maintaining the lead throughout the match.
While their previous Wembley outing was a memorable success, the Eagles will face a stern test in the form of an in-form Wakefield Trinity side in this year’s final. Thackeray is under no illusions about the challenge that awaits, but remains confident in his team’s ability to overcome the odds.
“Wakefield are a class outfit – their squad is practically a Super League squad,” Thackeray admitted. “But if we can get 50/50 ball and we compete for everything, then who knows?”
With the lure of Wembley and the chance to cap off his career with another trophy, Thackeray is determined to soak up every moment and enjoy the occasion. However, he is quick to emphasize that the team’s collective belief and determination will be the driving force behind their quest for glory.
“It would be incredible. You always get one or two outstanding teams in this competition, but they were always beatable and would slip up here and there, so hopefully we can catch Wakefield on an off day.”
The 2024 AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final will take place on June 8th at Wembley Stadium, with the match set to be streamed live and free on SuperLeague+. For Thackeray and the Sheffield Eagles, the opportunity to become the first team to win the 1895 Cup twice would be a fitting way to conclude the veteran’s illustrious career.
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