Lizzie Jones MBE will make a special return to Wembley Stadium on Saturday 7 June to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of her debut at the national stadium when she sings Abide with Me and the National Anthem before the Men’s Betfred Challenge Cup Final.
Lizzie has become a much-loved part of Cup Final tradition herself since she earned national admiration and acclaim in August 2015, making her Wembley singing debut months after the tragic loss of her husband Danny when he was playing for Keighley Cougars against London Skolars.
Over the last decade, Lizzie has set up the Danny Jones Defibrillator Fund in partnership with the Rugby League Benevolent Fund which has allowed the purchase of hundreds of defibrillators through all levels of the sport.
“The Challenge Cup Final and Wembley will always be special to me with the memories of singing in Danny’s memory ten years ago, so I was delighted to be asked to perform again for this special milestone,” she said.
“The past ten years have been full of life saving screenings, defibrillators and helping people through Danny’s memory and I’m so proud of the legacy that’s been created in his honour.”
Much like her debut appearance, Lizzie will be joined by two very important guests on Saturday 7 June – her twins Bobby and Phoebe.
“I’m honoured to sing Abide with Me and the National Anthem ahead of the Men’s Challenge Cup Final and it will be extra special to have the twins with me once again. They were only babies when we were there in 2015, they have grown up so much since then and it will be really emotional to be there with both of them beside me.
“The Challenge Cup Final is always a fantastic occasion with so many talented players taking to the pitch, and I can’t wait to be a part of it once again.”
Wembley spectators will also be able to enjoy a range of other entertainment, combining the tradition of Challenge Cup Finals Day with some more recent additions.
The day kicks off with the inspiresport Champion Schools Final for Year 7 Boys, which will this year see Sirius Academy West take on Rainford High School in the Steven Mullaney Memorial Match, named after the youngster who played for Wakefield Schools in this traditional Wembley curtain-raiser before he was killed in a traffic accident the following year.
Abide with Me will also be performed before the Women’s Betfred Challenge Cup Final by London based vocalist Lily Day Scott. Lily has performed at other major Cup Finals in the UK and has supported well known artists Basement Jaxx, Wolf Alice and Charlotte Church. She will also sing the National Anthem ahead of both the Women’s Challenge Cup Final and AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final.
The voice of Rugby League, Pete Nuttall, will again be the pitch side host and will this year be joined by DJ and presenter Kennedy Taylor. Hailing from Manchester, Kennedy is best known for her Capital XTRA radio show and will be bringing the stadium anthems to Wembley throughout the day.
There will be fun throughout the day, with our roaming cameras on hand to catch you out with some fun Snapchat filters on the big screens.
Finals Day at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 7 June is a triple-header featuring the finals of the Betfred Challenge Cup (Men’s and Women’s), alongside the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final. The RFL Champion Schools Year 7 Boys Final will also be played as the curtain raiser. Tickets are on sale now!
