Floodlights

[andyhinch]

did you break anything?

No, survived that one :-)

 

[AliBobbyJ]

Very evocative report, thanks. Typical of sports writing in that era that it said "Heart of Midlothian" not just Hearts.
Looked up the lad who got three goals in that game, Bill Sowden, started off great there but then only played 11 league games for City over two seasons.
And yes, oh those floodlights!

 

[old blue]

That game was always a puzzle for me and bugged me for years. I remembered going to the game with my Ma and my eldest brother. Then in the mists of time my memory of the match faded and it was in my thoughts that it was an imaginary memory. Then about 10 years back something triggered thoughts about the game, I would only be 6 years old so when the match was played so everything was a bit hazy. I did write to you eventually and if you ever got back to me i did not see your reply.
Never mind your post has made me a happy FOC so thank you.

 

[xgorton]

Bit young for that game I do remember when we upgraded start of 64/65 season Leyton Orient we won 6-0 old 2nd division.I was sat in the Platt lane end Wednesday night game I looked up when they switched them on they we're so strong I had yellow spot for about 5 minutes in my vision.It's funny how you remember things from 58 years ago.

 

[xgorton]

I wasn't old enough to be there but I do remember being at the unveiling of the updated floodlights as a lad in the mid 1960's. I think we played Bury on a Boxing Day, but wouldn't swear to it. What I vividly recall is that when they were switched on at HT the lights initially turned green, and some blokes standing near me thought they weren't working properly. 'Typical City' may well have been uttered.

Yes played Bury boxing day 64 new lights put in from the start of that season.

 

[jacko74]

It's quite surprising that floodlights arrived as late as 1953 really when you think about it, the technology was hardly cutting edge and ground breaking and had probably been around and in use in other applications for, I'd guess, 50 years before then... how come it took football so long to cotton on to using them?

 

[mancityvstoke]

What did they do before floodlights? Miners helmets?

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

What did they do before floodlights? Miners helmets?

They were banned in 1930 by the football association and that wasn’t lifted in full until 1956. There were games under lights before 1930 but maybe it was seen as a benefit to those that could afford it as it meant players might prefer to play for one with floodlights as they could keep the day job and get a bonus for night matches.

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

It's quite surprising that floodlights arrived as late as 1953 really when you think about it, the technology was hardly cutting edge and ground breaking and had probably been around and in use in other applications for, I'd guess, 50 years before then... how come it took football so long to cotton on to using them?

Meant to reply to you in the above comment.

 

[xgorton]

What did they do before floodlights? Miners helmets?

Played during the day.