Jack Wilshere delivered an emotional speech to his Luton Town players following their win in the EFL Trophy final over the weekend.
Luton Town came from behind to win the EFL Trophy at Wembley on Sunday, defeating Stockport County to earn Jack Wilshere’s first piece of silverware in senior management.
Adama Sidibeh had given Stockport the lead in the 11th minute, but it didn’t last long. Before the midway point of the first half, Emilio Lawrence had drawn Luton level, and Nakhi Wells made it 2-1 shortly before the break.
That’s how the scores remained throughout the second half, until Wells scored his second of the match to kill the contest in injury time.
Speaking to his players after the game in a moment later shared on Instagram, Wilshere admitted he was proud of them.
“I said to you before the game ‘thank you’,” Wilshere began. “Thank you even more now. I’m so grateful, I’m so grateful to each and every one of you. And I said to you f***ing yesterday that there are some that are not involved, and there are, and I know that hurts, but you’ve all played your part in this.
“The staff as well, thank you to the staff, because it doesn’t happen without them. Now their job is to make sure you’re alright for Wednesday because that feeling, we can do it again. Trust me, we can f***ing do it.
“You’ve just done it lads, on the biggest stage, in front of 35,000 Luton fans. And you went 1-0 down!
“I’m really proud of you, and we have to go again. I don’t want to get emotional but I’m f***ing proud of you.”
Wilshere’s mentions of ‘Wednesday’ and ‘going again’ are references to the fact that Luton are still capable of achieving promotion to the Championship this season.
A win in midweek would put them up into seventh place, just one spot below the play-off places. With another four games to go after that, it’s definitely still possible for Luton to be back at Wembley later this year.
So there won’t be much time for Wilshere and the team to enjoy their trophy success, but it’s still a huge moment for all of them.