The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
‘No better feeling in the world than this’
Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony has fallen in love with the EFL Trophy.
He even took the actual trophy home with him after Sunday’s 2-1 final win over Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley.
MacAnthony believes the competition – one derided by many – is a jewel in the EFL’s crown.
Posh have won the Trophy twice in MacAnthony’s 18-year tenure and he insists winning any final at Wembley will always be a magical moment.
This one was even better as he had his wife and three teenage children with him in the Royal Box. The family made a 36-hour whistle-stop visit to the UK before returning home and MacAnthony has now joined them, after returning the trophy to the club of course.
"The manager took the trophy home with him when we won it 10 years ago so I decided it was my turn now,” MacAnthony said. “I let the players and staff have it for a couple of hours, but then I insisted it came with me for the night.
"It’s been a tough couple of years at the club for me for all sorts of reasons, but there’s no better feeling in the world than winning a final at Wembley, while having my family with me in the Royal Box for the first time.
"Those people who knock
the EFL Trophy don’t know what they are talking about, This is the FA Cup for the lower divisions.
"When I bought the club it was a pipe dream for them to be able to win trophies, but we have won a few now.
"You don’t buy clubs at
our level to win FA Cups or League Cups, but we can still have great days out and enjoy success as we have proved many times.
"It was just an unbelievable day. The organisation from Wembley was just brilliant and the coverage on Sky
TV was outstanding.
“Wembley actually gave the teams the option of decking out their changing rooms areas with club memorabilia for £10K and we went for it.
"One player told me afterwards it was inspiring and it helped us win. There were
pictures of scoring important goals and it just made us feel so special.
"I don’t think Wycombe did it, but to be fair to them their owners were excellent before and after the game, while the players I saw afterwards were all very humble."