Jack Wilshere’s Luton Town come from behind and go on to beat Stockport County 3-1 in the 2026 EFL Trophy final at Wembley Stadium.
49,517 watched on as Adama Sidibeh had bundled Stockport into the lead 11 minutes in, before Emilio Lawrence slotted in Luton’s equaliser 10 minutes later, then Nahki Wells put Luton in front with half time approaching, before adding a third in the 91st minute.
It is the second time that Luton have won the competition, having previously done so back in 2009, beating Scunthorpe 3-2. This had been Stockport’s third appearance in the final, and the agony goes on as it’s a third final without a win.
Luton Town are crowned the 2026 Vertu Trophy Champions šš pic.twitter.com/uKl5zvol4c
ā Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 12, 2026
Luton midfielder Jordan Clark told Sky Sports:Ā “More special memories here. It’s not a place for losing. Hats of to Stockport but I am buzzing for these fans.
“The last 10-15 mins we said before the game they were going to get us under pressure but the fans got us through.
“This is right up there in my career. I am so lucky to be here twice with this special club (also winning the 2023 Championship play-off final).”
On rookie boss Jack Wilshere: “The gaffer has been so good, he’s tactically so good at his age. He’s brought the whole place together.
“I can’t speak highly enough of him, he’s going to be a top, top manager.”
Luton’s Jack Wilshere said, per Sky Sports: “I loved every single moment of my career and won trophies. To do so as a coach when you are standing on the side of the pitch as leader feels really good.
“When you are a player, you are more selfish and the main concerns are how you are physically, mentally and technically, but you are more responsible as a coach.
“Nahki came off with a tight groin on Monday and didn’t train this week.
“We waited for him as long as possible because we wanted his experience and know-how. He is a leader and gives us energy around the place.”
Stockport manager Dave Challinor said: “We want to use the disappointment as motivation on Wednesday and Saturday (away matches at AFC Wimbledon and Exeter) to be back here in eight weeks’ time.
“You can bottle the emotion, win or lose. Jack will be using it to be back here, just as I will be to add fuel to our fire.
“Today was a one-off, while the play-off final is one game which dictates what has happened over nine months and that work starts in July. I wouldn’t swap that.”
Luton keeper James Shea, was asked about his late save from Josh Stokes by Sky Sports: “I was more worried about Norwood shooting, to be honest, he’s done me before from there. (The save is) my job, thankfully I was there to make the save.
“I hope I have repaid (the manager, who kept faith with his cup keeper over league No1 Josh Keeley). I have played every round, I love playing for this club, thankfully the gaffer stuck with me and we got the win.
“It feels like the perfect story, we pride ourselves on our resilience. We went behind, came back quickly and managed to kill the game off at the end.”
Shea also said he hoped it would be ‘a massive catalyst for us’ as Luton try to get back here in the League One play-off final next month.
Here’s the social media reaction after Luton come from behind and go on to beat Stockport 3-1 in the 2026 EFL Trophy final…
@SSE_LTFC: Not even being knocked out could stop us
@dlcrow_: Jack Wilshere has nearly won more in his managerial career with @LutonTown than he did with @Arsenal after being there for half a season šš #LTFC #Luton #Arsenal #AFC
@hammondt1: Just canāt write a narrative thatās as crazy as #stfc. Just knew Luton were going to win it after we were rightly knocked out. Please can some multi millionaire buy us so we can have a few years of fun.
@GabSutton: Well done Luton. Of course they deserved to win the competition, by definition, but because of how underwhelming they’ve been in the league I imagine it might feel strangely counter-intuitive to some of their fans to be at Wembley celebrating something. You’d almost rather swap it for a double when they next go up – not that football works like that! Hopefully a case of a nice antidote for the fans, and a springboard for players and staff.
@stfcjosh: Ian Holloway masterclass, congratulations to Luton, very comical situation š.
@chrisbeth26 (replying to Stockport): That was a diabolical performance in a cup final. Sid, Bailey and Mothersille the only players who can come out of that thinking they played well. Hopefully Olowus injury isnāt too bad or weāre fucked in the league.
@Al_Hordman: Garbage. So disappointing. Abysmal performance and chaotic at times. Challinor outthought by a novice Manager ! We just have to be better than that in the coming matches !!
@PhilipJamesHar2: Have word that Chally is burning the suit as it’s believed that it’s cursed.
@MattJSalisbury: Well done to @LutonTown on their @VertuTrophy success. Weathered the storm in the second half to come out on top in a cracking final #VertuTrophy
@Thes0nofg0d: We were never going to win playing that bad oh well nevermind back to the league on Wednesday
FT: Luton 3 County 1
Congratulations to Luton. Met some lovely Hatters over the last few weeks putting āEl Hatticoā together. No complaints about the result. A valiant effort from County after the break, with Wootton ending up at centre-half, but we just couldnāt find a way back pic.twitter.com/TySXr7GQfv
ā The Scarf My Father Wore (@countyscarf) April 12, 2026
Cole Palmer, Ben Hinchliffe, Kevin Francis, Ashley Williams, Jim Gannon, Strawberry Studios, Phil Foden, Mike Flynn, Brett Angell, Kobbie Mainoo, Bramall Hall, Hat Works Museum, Dave Challinor your boys took a hell of a beating š¤£š¤£š¤£ pic.twitter.com/yjFbxCwDq0
ā Charles Bronson (@MigCrew2000) April 12, 2026
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