STANCHION SNACKS

Turning a fan moment into national coverage ahead of Wembley

A reactive media moment built around the FA Cup semi-final, designed to tap into fan culture and deliver timely coverage ahead of a major national fixture.

With just 48 hours to go before Southampton’s trip to Wembley, a story was developed around superfan chef Ed Stanchion, who created a commemorative dessert inspired by the club’s FA Cup history.

The ‘David Peach Melba’ paid tribute to the 1976 Saints side, blending nostalgia, food and football into a simple, visually led media hook. Tied to a wider season-long series of football-inspired dishes, the idea gave journalists both immediacy and context in the lead-up to the match.

The campaign secured national and regional coverage, including the Daily Star, alongside broadcast interviews on talkSPORT and BBC Radio 5 Live, demonstrating how a well-timed, culturally relevant idea can cut through quickly.