To celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the FA Cup final, Jersey Post will issue a set of 8 commemorative stamps highlighting great FA Cup moments throughout the history of the competition. ‘Roy of the Rovers’ comic artist David Sque has illustrated the series of classic moments across a range of philatelic products, including a miniature sheet depicting the very first FA Cup final in 1872 and a souvenir miniature sheet that portrays the Island’s very own Jersey Bulls during their debut FA Cup run during the 2021/22 season.

From its earlier beginnings, football developed as a sport in 1863 when representatives of 11 clubs from the London area gathered to form what would become the Football Association. The formation of the Football Association Challenge Cup became key to the development of modern football, as teams entering the competition had to abide by the uniformity of FA rules. As it reaches its 150th anniversary, winning the FA Cup represents the pinnacle of domestic club cup achievement.

Stamp illustrator David Sque says of the issue: “I have been involved with illustrating football most of my career and I am probably best known for drawing England’s famous national football comic hero: ‘Roy of the Rovers’. I was both honoured and humbled when Jersey Post kindly commissioned me to illustrate a series of postage stamps together with various further illustrations connected with the issue.

It was quite daunting to discover that my illustrations had to be approved by Her Majesty the Queen before they could be produced! I hope that you enjoy the fruits of my labours as much as I enjoyed drawing them. This project is certainly one of the highlights of my career to date.”

Chris Elligott, design and production manager for Jersey Stamps, commented: “From my perspective, as a fan of football, so many of the classic moments of the FA Cup over the years are ingrained in the memory. Indeed, one of the hardest tasks was to edit down the list of highlights to be featured throughout the issue. David Sque has brought each moment to life in his very own classic action-packed style, and I hope that the issue will spark a nostalgic trip for fans of the game as well as being enjoyed by stamp enthusiasts’.

Featured throughout the stamps are: ‘The Matthews Final’ – 1953 FA Cup Final, Blackpool 4 Bolton Wanderers 3, A stupendous diving headed goal for the underdogs – 1987 FA Cup Final, Coventry City 3 Tottenham Hotspur 2, An astonishing double save – 1973 FA Cup Final, Sunderland 1 Leeds United 0, The first ever penalty save in a final helps ‘The Crazy Gang’ lift the cup – 1988 FA Cup Final, Wimbledon 1 Liverpool 0, Non-league Hereford equalise with a screamer! – 1972 FA Cup 3^rd Round Replay, Hereford United 2 Newcastle United 1, City’s ‘keeper breaks his neck… unaware – he plays on! – 1956 FA Cup Final, Manchester City 3 Birmingham City 1, A last minute blockbuster – 2006 FA Cup Final, Liverpool 3 West Ham United 3, and An amazing jinking run leads to a great winner – 1981 FA Cup Final Replay, Tottenham Hotspur 3 Manchester City 2.

Also available is a prestige stamp booklet designed in a comic-book style, featuring further great FA Cup moments, and including five exclusive panes of stamps. A must for any football fanatic.

Jersey Post’s ‘150 Years of the FA Cup Final – Great FA Cup Moments!’ stamps will be available to buy from all branches of Jersey Post from 10 May 2022, whilst philatelic stamp products such as souvenir sheetlets, first day covers, presentation packs and the prestige booklet will be available from the Jersey post offices at Broad Street, St Helier and Rue Des Pres, St Saviour and can be ordered now at www.jerseystamps.com . Alternatively, you can email the Jersey Philatelic Bureau at stamps@jerseypost.com or telephone us: +44 (0)1534 616717.