How a hard-boiled egg could inspire Wembley glory

A Peterborough United fan believes eating a hard-boiled egg at Wembley Stadium will help his side poach victory in their cup final.

Kevin Chapman has eaten the poultry snack before all four of Peterborough's previous appearances at the stadium - and Posh soldiered to victory each time.

But this year's EFL Trophy final on Sunday is the egg's toughest test yet, as Darren Ferguson's side take on League One champions-elect Birmingham City.

"Imagine if we do pull it off, I'm absolutely claiming it is all thanks to the eggs," the 42-year-old said.

The team's 80-mile (128km) trip to the capital marks the second time in two seasons they have contested the competition's final.

More than 22,000 of their supporters were in attendance last year to witness Harrison Burrows' late double in a 2-1 win over Wycombe Wanderers.

Among them was Mr Chapman, his dad Andy and his brother Callum - who all witnessed Posh's other previous Wembley wins in 1992, 2000 and 2014.

"We've never lost there, so I kind of think that's all thanks to us," he said.

Mr Chapman knew his side were facing stiff opposition this time round, with high-flying Birmingham having lost just three league games all season.

"Of all the times we've been, this is the one where I'm least confident going in," said Mr Chapman, whose first Wembley egg was in a packed lunch made by his mum.

"If it wasn't for the eggs, I'd be expecting a pretty miserable day."

The supporter said he could have preserved "the magic of the eggs" by not eating one ahead of a challenging game, but instead opted for defiance.

The tradition is guided by strict rules too, with the luck only working if the egg is eaten on the stadium's iconic steps.

"We've been training the eggs up and now we really need them to pull through for us and maintain our 100% Wembley record," Mr Chapman said.

He warned there was a plan up his sleeve for if Peterborough did lose, however.

"We'll just change the assumption and say they always work in play-off finals instead," Mr Chapman added.

"I'm not going to give up my hard-boiled egg."

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