Another factor was that Wembley had been hyped as the latest wonder of the world, a stadium so vast that it could cope with any number of fans with all having a perfect view. Only then 200,000 plus fans turned up when it could only hold 125,000. The gates were shut at 1.45pm but the blokes in flat caps outside then broke through the gates and went "over the top" of the perimeter fences and the crowd ended up all over the pitch, with 1000 fans injured. The FA immediately denied responsibility saying it was all Wembley's fault (presumably they insisted they could meet targets).
If it does all go wrong at the Olympic Stadium, the Excel or the Velodrome then the authorities might learn from the White Horse Cup Final, where the crowd remained good-humoured. The arrival of the King prevented a riot and he said keep calm and carry on things like "Steady on boys!", causing the crowd to break into a rousing chorus of God Save the King. Then Billie the famous White Horse (actually a grey) and his rider PC Scorey arrived to help clear the pitch and the game went ahead with the crowd actually on the touchlines and sometimes the pitch. West Ham's Tresadern was caught in the crowd as Bolton scored their first. There's also an argument that the players believed it was a friendly and the real final would be played later when the conditions were less chaotic, so West Ham could legitimately demand a replay. The Daily Mail described the stewarding as "useless", questions were asked in the House and an inquiry was demanded. Is it too late for G4S to recruit a white horse?
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