The tale of football's forgotten final - but Portsmouth and Salford fans and players locked out for its resurrection

Most famously, it settled in Lovedean’s Bird In Hand pub, perched on top of a radio positioned behind the bar, occasionally used by locals to sup ale from.

Little more than five months after the Blues defeated Wolves to claim the trophy at Wembley in April 1939, the Second World War was declared.

And so the FA Cup remained in their possession until professional football resumed in September 1945, with Derby County the next recipients.

In recent times, tenancy as EFL Trophy holders has similarly lingered longer than anticipated.

The silverware has now returned to its Football League owners, nonetheless Pompey have reigned as champions for more than one-and-a-half years.

On March 31, 2019, in front of 85,021 at Wembley, Oli Hawkins dispatched the winning penalty in a shoot-out against Sunderland to capture the EFL Trophy for the first time in Blues history.

Although the competition has continued, there has yet to be another final.

This campaign’s final is scheduled for March 14, 2021 – but last season’s has still to be fulfilled.

It’s a complex scenario dictated by the coronavirus outbreak and the government’s infuriating stance on admitting crowds into Premier League and Football League fixtures.

Incidentally, Pompey were booked to play Salford in that missing April 2020 final.

Unaffected, Kenny Jackett’s men have already progressed into the knock-out stages of this season’s competition with a group game to spare.

The holders of the EFL Trophy are looking strong early contenders to retain the silverware they were denied defending last season. Confused? It’s understandable.

According to the Football League’s latest statement, released last month, the 2020 final will now take place in 2021 on a date still to be determined.

However, five Pompey players who featured in last term’s semi-final triumph over Exeter are no longer at the club and won’t be involved.

Spare more sympathy for Salford, who have lost nine players, manager Graham Alexander and first-team coach Chris Lucketti since booking their Wembley spot for the game that never was.

Encouragingly, Pompey chief executive Mark Catlin is confident the forgotten fixture will finally be played early next year – before the 2021 final takes place.

Although there is one drawback.

Catlin told The News: ‘I cannot imagine the scenario where the final is not played this season, albeit unfortunately it will have to be behind closed doors.

‘As a club, we have discussed the situation with the EFL, Salford, among ourselves and with the Tony Goodall Fans’ Conference.

‘Our priority was to reschedule at a time when we felt we could accommodate fans. After all, we believed there wasn’t a lot of point without supporters.

‘Having said that, contractually there remains an obligation to stage the final – and we honour our contracts.

‘We get fans’ frustration because we are as frustrated as them, but, over the coming weeks and months, the emphasis will turn to picking a date.

‘If fans are not allowed in by that time, the game will still go ahead and all supporters will be refunded.

‘Currently we are trying to do everything we can to arrange the game with fans present. I am the first one to admit, though, that it’s looking unlikely now.

‘The emphasis will now change towards getting the tournament final completed this season. That will be priority number one.

‘Personally, I think it has got to take place before the next final, it would be bizarre otherwise.

‘The bottom line is things are being taken out of our hands, it’s not just Pompey but businesses and individuals in general.

‘If you book a trip, you have to cancel it. You plan to stay with relations, then you have to cancel it. You can’t even stay in hotels in certain areas.

‘We live in times which are out of the hands of individuals or organisations, we’re at the mercy of the government. It’s no-one’s fault.

‘The money from our ticket sales are held by us on behalf of the EFL. Technically, it is their money which we are holding.

‘Interest rates are small at the moment. When you look at costs and expenditure of refunding people, any interest earned will be swallowed up to cover that.

‘The final hasn’t been cancelled and the second it is – or fans aren’t allowed in – then they will be entitled to a refund. Under the terms and conditions of the competition, though, that cannot happen yet.

‘We cannot act unilaterally, we are part of a large organisation. Whether it be the salary cap, squad size numbers, ticketing or fees, we cannot break rules and regulations.’

SUBSCRIBE today for the latest Pompey updates

Another caveat is the distinct possibility that the rescheduled 2020 EFL Trophy final may no longer be held at Wembley.

Without supporters, there exists an argument to relocate it to a smaller venue, potentially the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Certainly that would be a disappointment to players associated with both clubs. Although between Pompey and Salford, a total of 14 have left since the progressing from the semi-finals.

In the League Two side’s case, they have lost five of the starting line-up which beat Newport County on penalties to reach the final.

Goalkeeper Chris Neal secured victory by stopping Ryan Inniss’ spot-kick, yet he is now at Fylde.

Other departures among those featuring in that fixture are Nathan Pond, Craig Conway, Adam Rooney and loanees Cameron Burgess, Jack Baldwin and Jake Jervis.

Kyle Letheren and Scott Wiseman, unused from the bench, have also gone.

As for manager Alexander, he was sacked almost two weeks ago along with assistant Lucketti, to be replaced on a temporary basis by Paul Scholes.

Meanwhile, at Fratton Park, four starters in that dramatic 3-2 semi-final win over Exeter in February 2020 have left – Christian Burgess, Steve Seddon, Ross McCrorie and Cameron McGeehan.

In addition, Oli Hawkins, one of two substitutes utilised by Jackett that evening, is now at Ipswich.

Despite seemingly heading for a behind-closed-doors conclusion, the view of Pompey’s boss is the final should be held in front of supporters.

Jackett added: ‘I think it’s worth waiting until the fans come back, if they can.

‘I understand it has been put off until the New Year, but I do think it is sensible to try to delay it until fans are back, if possible.

‘It’s a Wembley appearance – and supporters should have the option to come if they want to.

‘The EFL will be under pressure to play it, but it would be great if some fans could come back to be there with us.’

The presence of supporters sadly now seems unlikely for football’s forgotten final.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

Thank you for reading this story. The News has launched a new subscription offer which gives you unlimited access to all of our Pompey coverage.

You can subscribe here to get the latest news and transfer updates from Fratton Park - and to support our local team of expert Pompey writers.

Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism on your behalf for our city.