First class! Royal Mail unveils 10 special edition stamps to celebrate 150th anniversary of FA Cup

A special collection of stamps depicting classic FA Cup moments have been released to mark the competition’s 150th anniversary, the Royal Mail has announced.  

The 10 stamps were created through a close collaboration between the FA and the Royal Mail and feature famous moments in the tournament’s history – these include references to royal patronage, FA Cup upsets and support from fans. 

A first-class stamp in the collection celebrates Wembley Stadium, documenting the moment crowds ran on the pitch at the first final to be held at the original stadium in 1923, with a black and white photograph.  

In 2017, Lincoln City beat Burnley 1-0 to become the first non-league side in 103 years to reach the Quarter Finals

One of the special stamp’s showing Arsenal players Charlie George and Frank McLintock lifting the trophy in 1971 after Arsenal won the FA Cup a record 14 times

In the collection, another stamp pays tribute to royal patronage of the event by featuring King George VI and Queen Elizabeth presenting the cup to Sunderland captain Raich Carter in 1937

Keith Houchen equalising for Coventry City with a spectacular diving header against Tottenham Hotspur in the 1987 Final

Featuring a mix of black and white and colour photos, one stamp will pay tribute to royal patronage of the event by featuring King George VI and Queen Elizabeth presenting the cup to Sunderland captain Raich Carter in 1937.

Lincoln City’s 1-0 win over Burnley in the fifth round in February 2017, making them the first non-league side in 103 years to reach the quarter finals, has been memorialised with a £2.55 stamp.

Another memorable FA Cup moment included is Keith Houchen’s equaliser for Coventry City against Tottenham Hotspur with a ‘spectacular’ diving header in the final in May 1987. 

Andy Ambler, the FA’s director of pro game relations, said the governing body was delighted with the stamps.

West Bromwich Albion supporters cheering their team on to a 1-0 victory in the 1968 Final

The 10 stamps were created through a close collaboration between the FA and the Royal Mail and feature famous moments in the tournament’s history – these include references to royal patronage, FA Cup upsets and support from fans

One of the Royal Mail stamps showing supporter’s memorabilia – including two rosettes 

This £1.70 stamp is showing official Match-day items – the football shirt is dated Wembley 1969

Andy Ambler, the FA’s director of pro game relations, said the governing body was delighted with the stamps

‘The Emirates FA Cup continues to capture the imaginations of both football fans and the wider public in its 150th anniversary season,’ he said.

‘Its historic moments from the non-league to the very elite create lasting memories, and we’re delighted that a selection of iconic moments are being celebrated by these special stamps.’

Natasha Ayivor, senior communications manager at Royal Mail, added the competition had given the world ‘some of the greatest dispays of competition football’ and that the stamps ‘celebrate the magic of these moments’. 

The stamps will go on general sale from March 8, and are available to pre-order from Monday.

The FA Cup was launched in 1871/72 with just 12 teams taking part. Today 729 clubs compete for the prize.