The end of the football season means different things to different people. After another breathless weekend of action at Wembley, there have been tears of sadness for some and cheers of jubilation for others. That’s the beauty of football.
Here at Thomas Lyte, we never forget how lucky we are to play such a central role in designing and crafting those moments that last a lifetime.
The Championship Play-Off final was a perfect illustration of the drama that football so effortlessly creates. With a place in the Premier League at stake, it’s the richest match in world football. But, at its heart, it’s simply a game between two sides, as supporters of both watch on. Each hoping that this is their day and unconditionally backing their team to make this particular sporting dream come true.
This season it was Southampton and Leeds looking to return to the top flight – and ultimately, the south coast side prevailed. Jack Stephens, the Southampton captain, was presented with the trophy designed and made by Thomas Lyte – lifting it skyward and sparking scenes of utter jubilation in the stands. The Saints fans weren’t going anywhere. They were intent on savouring every moment of a magical Wembley afternoon.
Just 24 Wembley hours earlier, Manchester United’s supporters had done the same. The pain of their league travails disappearing in an instant, as they celebrated a famous victory over their great rivals, Manchester City. Watching the action unfold, sitting proudly on it’s plinth, the Emirates FA Cup. Manufactured by Thomas Lyte, the hand crafted Trophy waited patiently for this classic final to play out. The sight of the trophy being held aloft in triumph was celebrated as raucously as the goals that had decided the victors. For the first time since 2016, Manchester United’s name will be engraved on one of world sport’s most instantly recognisable pieces of silverware. The Thomas Lyte-made FA Cup medals, presented to both sides, will also be winding their way back to the north west.
Eventually, each trophy will travel back to Thomas Lyte’s workshop in London, for repair, restoration and engraving.
Despite missing out on the FA Cup, Manchester City’s players will already be familiar with Thomas Lyte’s craftsmanship. The previous week, they received their Premier League winners’ medals at the conclusion of another remarkable campaign.
Elsewhere, the dust is settling on another incredible season in the EFL. Again, Thomas Lyte’s reflection shines all over the trophies presented to both the league winners and play-off victors.
On the south coast, just along the M27 from newly promoted Southampton, Portsmouth were crowned League One champions before their final home game of the season. The scenes as they lifted the Thomas Lyte designed and handcrafted trophy will live long in the memory of those who were there. Particularly those who had put their hands in their own pockets to raise the necessary funds to save the club from liquidation just over a decade ago.
It was also party time in Oxford, as the U’s celebrated a return to the Championship for the first time in 25 years following their play-off final victory over Bolton Wanderers at Wembley. The smiles on the faces of the players as they carried the trophy towards their celebrating fans showed just how much that meant.
If the goals and performances of Stockport-born Phil Foden and Kobbie Mainoo had been cause for celebration this season, then the performance of the towns’ football club would have sent the population into overdrive. Stockport County – known as the Hatters – won the League Two title, sparking joyous scenes at Edgeley Park. Not too long ago those same supporters had been watching the club play in the National League North.
Crawley Town’s victory in the League Two play-offs a short time later was no less remarkable. Just 12 months earlier, the club had narrowly avoided relegation from the Football League. The near 18,000 fans who had made their way from West Sussex to North London were pinching themselves after the club’s first ever Wembley win.
Two big celebrations under the Wembley arch, showcasing and celebrating yet more of Thomas Lyte’s elite crafting.
So, there you have it. Every team and their hordes of supporters now know where they will be playing next season. The Thomas Lyte trophies, meanwhile, will occupy pride of place as the players head into the sun for a well-earned break.
And us? Well, the work doesn’t end there. We’ll be looking forward to seeing the trophies return to our London workshop so the restoration process can begin. For the moment, though, we’ll just revel in the success of the teams and supporters who have witnessed these trophies being lifted to the sky over the past month.
Read about our press mentions and awards for the project
We have selected a number of case studies that demonstrate the broad range of our capabilities designing and making in precious metals.
