Phil Whitaker tells the story of floodlights at Bramall Lane and remembers those exhibition games played in the 1950s and 1960s under the lights against visitors from overseas.
I had no idea that lights had been tested as early as 1878 – what pioneers.
“In June 1955 the Football League also agreed that postponed league matches could be played under floodlights, but only if both clubs agreed.” It’s astonishing how many things football-related were either feared or derided by the “powers that be”, resisting for as long as they possibly could. But as ever, money talked! Much the same today, I suppose . . .
I worked for a firm of architects, and when we were designing a new stand for a football club I remember how precisely everything relating to floodlights had to be calculated – angles and lumen levels, consideration for neighbours and Planning Permission stating ‘no use after 10 pm’. Thankfully technology has moved on since then and with smaller lights attached to stands it’s like daylight now.
So glad Sheffield United were more forward thinking.
Sue.
PS. Loved the pics of the old programmes . . . “Programmes, 3d!!”
Herbert Chapman the Arsenal manager who was born in Kiveton Park had floodlights installed at the Arsenal Training Ground and on their West Stand in the 1930s but they could only be used for training as the FA and Football League banned their use on any games.
Advances in technology from searchlights used in WW2 led to Clubs installing them in early 1950s to use initially in friendly or exhibition games.
One of the reasons why the Football Authorities came under pressure to allow them to be used in official games was the massive crowds after WW2 and the mass absenteeism from work when FA Cup replays and rearranged league games had to be played on midweek afternoons!
I too miss floodlight pylons at the Lane and other grounds. I remember being awestruck by them in the late 80s when I started to go to football. And you're right about each ground having their own pylon-personality. I am going to pinch the term "Five pylons on John Street" as the title for my no-doubt unsuccessful and unreadable autobiography. Really enjoyed this article thanks.
Thanks, Phil – very illuminating. (Sorry!).
I had no idea that lights had been tested as early as 1878 – what pioneers.
“In June 1955 the Football League also agreed that postponed league matches could be played under floodlights, but only if both clubs agreed.” It’s astonishing how many things football-related were either feared or derided by the “powers that be”, resisting for as long as they possibly could. But as ever, money talked! Much the same today, I suppose . . .
I worked for a firm of architects, and when we were designing a new stand for a football club I remember how precisely everything relating to floodlights had to be calculated – angles and lumen levels, consideration for neighbours and Planning Permission stating ‘no use after 10 pm’. Thankfully technology has moved on since then and with smaller lights attached to stands it’s like daylight now.
So glad Sheffield United were more forward thinking.
Sue.
PS. Loved the pics of the old programmes . . . “Programmes, 3d!!”
Herbert Chapman the Arsenal manager who was born in Kiveton Park had floodlights installed at the Arsenal Training Ground and on their West Stand in the 1930s but they could only be used for training as the FA and Football League banned their use on any games.
Advances in technology from searchlights used in WW2 led to Clubs installing them in early 1950s to use initially in friendly or exhibition games.
One of the reasons why the Football Authorities came under pressure to allow them to be used in official games was the massive crowds after WW2 and the mass absenteeism from work when FA Cup replays and rearranged league games had to be played on midweek afternoons!
I too miss floodlight pylons at the Lane and other grounds. I remember being awestruck by them in the late 80s when I started to go to football. And you're right about each ground having their own pylon-personality. I am going to pinch the term "Five pylons on John Street" as the title for my no-doubt unsuccessful and unreadable autobiography. Really enjoyed this article thanks.
Very interesting and in particular the extent that the club milked it with all the friendlies.
Don’t you mean “enlightening”? 🤭