Back-to-back-to-back - West Brom Blind make it a treble at landmark Disability FA Cup event
Albion Blind made it a trio of unforgettable successes at the showpiece event.
Hat-trick hero Efe Shimwell made a perfect return as his razor-sharp finishing inspired Albion Blind to a third straight Disability FA Cup crown.
Shimwell fired a treble to go alongside a brace from fellow star Eesa Amjid as the Baggies claimed a 5-2 final success over Royal National College for the Blind.
Albion and RNC are rivals and the Baggies’ 2026 joy means they have seen off the Herefordshire foes for three years on the spin. It was the 10th anniversary of the tournament, help at the English FA’s base across several disciplines, including amputee, partially sighted, blind, cerebral palsy, powerchair and deaf.
Rich Henderson’s side - who operate under the Albion Foundation charity umbrella - raced into an unassailable 5-0 lead at the final at England’s base of St George’s Park in Burton.
Central to the trophy success was Shimwell, who timed his return from injury immaculately for the biggest clash of the season - and delivered with a treble.
Skilful star Amjid almost opened the scoring after a piece of individual brilliance in the final but, after dribbling past three defenders, he fired an effort just wide.
The Baggies saw out RNC set-piece pressure before Amjid opened the scoring from a dead ball as he whipped in a free-kick for 1-0.
Shimwell got in on the act with a well-taken set-piece.
Albion had work to do at the interval with just a two-goal cushion but Amjid and Shimwell each added another goal each to open the lead to 4-0 before the latter crowned his star showing with a hat-trick, lifting the ball into the roof of the net with an unerring finish.
RNC battled hard from 5-0 down and a quickfire double from Mikey Poulli saw the rivals on to the scoresheet.
Albion Blind players and staff were looked after by Albion club staff at the Baggies’ first team training ground in Walsall after the trophy success.
It was a stunning way for the Baggies’ outfit to build on the previous season’s unprecedented treble success.
Albion squad: Owen Locke (gk), Kieran Clarke, Mo Ahmed (c), Eesa Amjid, Efe Shimwell
Subs: Anna Draper (gk), Alice Hopkins, Mark Turnham, Yusef Huraira