I had an incredible stroke of luck in 2022 when I acquired two very heavy sterling silver trophy cups at a public auction with both trophies in very poor condition; some might say ready for the melting pot where they may have ended up if I had not saved them.

However I regularly use one of the country's top silversmiths based in Sheffield to restore my damaged silver items and the two trophy cups are now in as good condition as the day they were made.

Incredibly the two trophies turned out to be the ACTUAL playoff trophies played for at Wembley for the seasons 1993 - 94, 1994 - 95 & 1995 - 96. One of the trophies was for the Division One Playoffs (tier 2) and the other was for the Division Three Playoffs (tier 4). Sadly the trophy for the Second Division Playoffs was not included. The original trophies had silver lids with the finial in the shape of an owl and also wooden plinths with silver plaques for the trophy winners but both the lids and the plinths were not included with the trophies.

For the start of the 1993 - 94 season, Endsleigh Insurance took over sponsorship of the English Football League on a three year agreement worth £3.5m. For the seasons 1993 - 94, 1994 - 95 & 1995 - 96, the Football League was called the Endsleigh Insurance League. Endsleigh ended their sponsorship relationship after three seasons.

By the mid 1990s the playoffs at Wembley at the end of each season was becoming a huge affair, with large crowds seen at Wembley and millions more watching on TV. Endsleigh commissioned three huge silver trophies, one for each Division of the EFL which were to be competed for at these playoffs, for the duration that Endsleigh remained sponsor.

For each Division, it was the same silver trophy competed for at Wembley each year; after the game and the usual publicity outings, this perpetual trophy was handed back to Endsleigh by the winning team ready for the following year. The winning team did not retain the trophy and were not given a replica for their trophy cabinet; they received nothing to keep. This has been confirmed to me by one of the winning clubs.

However the internet is awash with iconic photos of the trophy winners posing on the old Wembley turf parading the trophy in front of their adoring fans (I have included one photo for each of the three playoff years). (These 3 photo reprints will be passed on to the trophy buyer). 

The results of the three relevant playoff finals were as follows:

1993 - 94. Wycombe Wanderers 4 - 2 Preston North End.
1994 - 95. Chesterfield 2 - 0 Bury.
1995 - 96. Plymouth Argyle 1 - 0 Darlington.

Any one of the three winning teams, Wycombe Wanderers, Chesterfield & Plymouth Argyle, would, I am sure, love to have this trophy for their trophy cabinet, a valuable memento of a successful visit to Wembley.

Both Wycombe Wanderers and Chesterfield had visited Wembley on previous occasions but for Plymouth Argyle, this was their first ever visit since being founded in 1886. By beating Darlington they were able to claim their first ever Wembley trophy on their first ever visit. The trophy remains to this day the only trophy they have ever won at Wembley!

The trophy itself is large & very heavy, weighing in at 1.723 kg of sterling silver. It is profusely decorated in repousse style featuring a floral pattern, reeding and a laurel wreath surrounding the central cartouche. This is engraved:

"ENDSLEIGH LEAGUE DIVISION THREE PLAY-OFF WINNERS".

Weight: 1.723 kg. Height (to tip of handles): 350 mm. Height (to rim): 295 mm. Diameter of rim: 165 mm. Diameter of base: 165 mm. Hall Mark: Birmingham 1994. Maker's Mark: Regent Silversmiths of Birmingham.

Summary: Historic football trophies do not come much more desirable than this! Ideally it should be in the trophy cabinet of Plymouth Argyle, Wycombe Wanderers or Chesterfield & I sincerely hope this is where it will end up. However, fans from all three clubs, many of whom will have attended the playoff games at Wembley, also have an opportunity to get hold of this rare piece of football silverware. Good luck!

NOTE: If within reasonable travelling distance of my home I will try & deliver the trophy personally free of charge. If this is not possible I will use Royal Mail Special Delivery free of charge. If posting abroad I will use an appropriate premium service free of charge. Any queries concerning delivery please get in touch.

NOTE: Please see my other listing of the Endsleigh Division One Wembley Playoff Trophy for the same 3 seasons.