On April 28 1923, a historic FA Cup final took place at the newly-opened Wembley Stadium. 

Fans had flocked to watch the first ever match to be played at the venue, spilling over from the packed stands and onto the turf. 

Photographer Bob Thomas captured some of the scenes which would come to define that afternoon. 

And now, exactly 100 years later, this image has been released as just one in a collection of pictures celebrating iconic Wembley moments compiled by archivists at Getty Images.

The photos below were taken before the stadium as it currently stands was rebuilt in 2001-2007.

Building Wembley

Work on Wembley Stadium began in the early 1920s, and the arena cost £750,000 to build at the time - more than £58 million today. 

This picture shows one of Wembley's iconic towers under construction. 

Julian Ridgway, manager of archive editing at Getty Images, said: “A rare view of the original Wembley Stadium’s famous Twin Towers while under construction in the early 1920s – with wooden scaffolds and ladders looking a little lacking in health and safety.  

"By the early 20th century there were already many photo agencies established supplying daily photo coverage for the press, much as they do today, and Getty Images archives contain the files of several.

"This shot from the Topical Press Agency was originally captured on a large, fragile glass plate negative.”

Brent & Kilburn Times: Stadium construction 1/1/1923Stadium construction 1/1/1923 (Image: Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

FA Cup Final 1923

More fans attempted to attend the April 28 match between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham than the stadium could hold. 

Photographer Bob Thomas captured the scene that afternoon. 

Paul Prowse, senior photo editor at the Getty Images Archive, said: "Wembley Stadium was completed - at a cost of £750,000 - just five days before the first event was held there - the FA Cup Final between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United.

"But the first match was not an all-ticket affair, which led to reported crowds of between 250,000 and 300,000 in a stadium with an official capacity of 125,000.

"Now known as the 'White Horse' final, it’s an image of Billy the Police horse that is often used to define that day, but this image of crowds being pushed back off the playing area goes some way to illustrating the sheer volume of people that day.”

Brent & Kilburn Times: FA Cup Final - Bolton Wanderers v West Ham United 28/4/1923FA Cup Final - Bolton Wanderers v West Ham United 28/4/1923 (Image: Bob Thomas/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)

1948 Olympics Women's 100 metres final

Paul Prowse, senior photo editor at the Getty Images Archive, said: “Fanny Blankers-Koen pictured crossing the line after taking gold in the women's 100m final at the 1948 Olympic Games, the first gold medal of her record breaking four - the others were for the 200m, 80m hurdles and 4x100 relay.

"The 1948 Olympic Games became widely known as the Austerity Games due to the difficult post war economic situation, taking place whilst the country was still under rationing restrictions.

"Given these conditions, nothing new was built and Wembley Stadium, in addition to hosting the track and field events, was also the venue for football, equestrian and field hockey competitions, with the nearby Empire Pool (now Wembley Arena) hosting the swimming, diving, boxing and more.” 

Brent & Kilburn Times: The finish of the women's 100 metres Olympic final at Wembley 2/8/1948The finish of the women's 100 metres Olympic final at Wembley 2/8/1948 (Image: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

1966 World Cup Final

Paul Prowse, senior photo editor at the Getty Images Archive, said: “Throughout the 1966 FIFA World Cup, hosts England had played all of their six games at Wembley Stadium, whether or not that gave them any home advantage, it was there that they ran out eventual 4-2 winners over West Germany in the final.

"Here we see the famous red shirts cut through the politely applauding group of surrounding dignitaries just after Bobby Moore has received the trophy from the Queen.”

Brent & Kilburn Times: World Cup 1966 presentation 30/7/1966World Cup 1966 presentation 30/7/1966 (Image: Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

1972 England women's team play Scotland

Paul Prowse, senior photo editor at the Getty Images Archive, said: “Getty Images’ Archive editors are constantly searching our analogue archives of over 135 million original prints, negatives and transparencies looking for new images to digitise.

"The England Women’s National team pictured in their brand-new kits getting their first chance to play or at least train on the Wembley turf prior to their first official international with Scotland that was to take place in Greenock in Scotland later that month, they ran out 3-2 winners.

"The ban on Women playing football on any FA affiliated grounds which had been in place for over 50 years was lifted the year before this, fast forward 50 years.”

Brent & Kilburn Times: British footballer Sheila Parker (centre) and members of the England Women's football team training at Wembley 15/11/1972British footballer Sheila Parker (centre) and members of the England Women's football team training at Wembley 15/11/1972 (Image: Ronald Dumont/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

1985 Live Aid concert

Paul Prowse, senior photo editor at the Getty Images Archive, said: “Freddie Mercury during Queen's memorable set at Live Aid, an appearance later judged to be among the best performances ever by an industry poll.

"Given the constraints of the format for the day, Mercury had 20 minutes to drive Queen through a greatest hits set, something he and they managed with an exuberant virtuosity and energy that left the crowd wanting more.

"A year later Queen returned to finish off what they'd started playing the Stadium again during The Magic Tour”

Brent & Kilburn Times: Freddie Mercury during Live Aid concert 13/7/1985Freddie Mercury during Live Aid concert 13/7/1985 (Image: Duncan Raban/Popperfoto via Getty Images)