White Horse Bridge

Wembley Stadium station with White Horse Bridge built across it

The White Horse Bridge is the name of the new (2006) footbridge that crosses Wembley Stadium railway station leading up to Wembley Stadium in England. It is named after a grey (though appearing white in old black-and-white photographs and films) Metropolitan Police horse, named 'Billie', that was used to restore order after the huge numbers of spectators (estimated at 200,000) who turned up to witness the 1923 FA Cup Final spilled onto the pitch before kick off. The game, the first to be held at the old Wembley Stadium was won by Bolton Wanderers, beating West Ham United 2-0

The naming decision took place in the form of an online poll hosted by BBC Five Live in conjunction with the London Development Agency (who were building the bridge and who had conceived the idea of a public poll), and won from a shortlist of Live Aid bridge (in memory of the 1985 concert held at the stadium), Sir Alf Ramsey (being England's World Cup winning manager), Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Geoff Hurst (two of Sir Alf's team).

The White Horse Bridge at night

The shortlist was drawn after a period where the London Development Agency asked for online nominations from the public. 670,000 nominations were received, although many were repeat nominations from the same source. The most nominated suggestions were reportedly Dietmar Hamann, the German player who scored the winning goal against the hosts in the last game played at the old Wembley (Dietmar Hamann Bridge), Jim Baxter, the Scottish National Team player who began playing "keepie-uppie" to torment the opposition during Scotland's 3 - 2 defeat of England at Wembley in 1967 (Jim Baxter Bridge), Scott Gibbs, the Welsh rugby player who scored a last minute try to deny England the Grand Slam in 1999 (Scott Gibbs Bridge), and Wayne Bridge the England footballer (Wayne [Bridge] Bridge). It is believed this occurred due to campaigns by Scottish, Welsh, Irish, German and Australian fans to nominate sportsmen who have embarrassed England. The countries in question have all had traditional rivalries with England.

See also

• List of bridges in London

External links

• Metropolitan Police website article about Billy