Held each year at Wembley, this is English football’s traditional curtain-raiser between the Premier League champions and FA Cup winners. Formerly known as the Charity Shield, the moneys raised on the day are used by the Football Association to fund community activities, such as inclusive football. This is a fan’s occasion; this is their Wembley occasion and more tickets go the clubs to make sure the most important members of the football family are rewarded. Blazing sunshine, fantastic football and a chance to see some of the best players in the English game in one of world football’s most iconic stadiums. Despite a 92,000 capacity, fans at Wembley are on top of the action. No binoculars needed here as north London becomes a cauldron of noise. With no pressure on the result, it’s a fiesta of football with some fantastic matches down the years. At the peak of their powers, Arsenal and Manchester United served up some pulsating affairs, with the two clubs dominating recent finals. United and Chelsea too; four meetings in five years, with the drama growing each time. No pressure on the result? Who are we kidding? Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger fuelled their feud when the Frenchman recorded his first win over the Portuguese in a competitive match. It was an explosion of noise as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain thundered home the winner. There has to be a winner. It goes to penalties if the scores are level, giving you your...
