Photo - Sheffield Utd v Blackburn 1912

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

This wonderful press photo is due to be uploaded to my website in September, but I am having second thought about selling it.

Here are the reasons why:-

2nd March 1912 Sheffield United v Blackburn Rovers D 1-1

Rovers won the league title in this season for the 1st time in their history.

The Bramall Lane cricket pavilion is at the back, and the square is roped off. The clock shows it’s just after half-past three. Bramall Lane hosted an Ashes Test in 1902.

The linesman with flag, and attendant ball-boy, are dressed in their Edwardian/Georgian finest.

The player – Jock Simpson, who had been signed by Rovers from Falkirk in Feb 1911 for a then-record £1800. This was still the record in 1912.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progression_of_British_football_transfer_fee_record

Outside right Simpson won 8 England caps.

The photo is not stamped and the brief details are on a paper label stuck to the front. It is 9.5x7.5”, and is quite heavily creased at the top but only sky and corner of pavilion are affected. There is a pinhole in each corner.

For me, it ticks just about all the boxes, hence my second thoughts.

Anyhow, I thought you all might like to see it and I'm happy to scan a 300dpi image to you if you'd like a nice close-up. PM me if you would.

[Wullie]

Defiantly hang on to it. It's wonderful. probably wouldn't get much for it anyway. Now if it was 1970s Chelsea it would be worth £100s .

[holtie96]

What a fantastic piece of football history Pete, should be in the National Football Museum, real quality as always.
I hope members don't forget to visit your site, there are hours of enjoyment to be had looking at football history through the ages captured in print.
Good luck with the photo, as Wullie says, it is a shame photos don't make much unless of course you could claim that the linesman is Peter Bonetti's great grandfather!

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

Think it should be on display in the SUFC trophy room - if they have one!
(Probably as big as Palace's!)

[nozer]

Great photo Pete, looks to me that there are spectators on the pavilian side ,i went to a few SU v Everton games at BL early 60s and those fans would have been well away from the action.
Has a matter of interest (to me) dose anyone know when the ground was altered to a "proper" football ground.
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"Some people say Wolves best days are gone i prefer to think the best are yet to come" Derek Dougan on joining Wolves from Leicester City 1967.

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

My "Educating Archie" book says cricket was played there till 1973, but by then a stand had been built in front of the cricket pavilion.

Where's Sharrowblade when you need him?

I recommend that book - by Simon Inglis. It covers all the grounds designed by Archibald Leitch, including Molineux.

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

Pete’s Picture Palace wrote:

My "Educating Archie" book says cricket was played there till 1973, but by then a stand had been built in front of the cricket pavilion. Where's Sharrowblade when you need him? I recommend that book - by Simon Inglis. It covers all the grounds designed by Archibald Leitch, including Molineux.

Idiot that I am - this book is called "Engineering Archie".

[sharrowblade]

Sorry lads, currently away.

My old dad took me off the Kop at the last game of the 72/73 season. It was a night match in early may against Spurs. And he said with about 10 minutes to go, come on son let's go and stand on't pavilion for last time. I don't remember being on it before. But, I do remember seeing Cyril knowles put one over the bar from a yard out in the dying seconds.

The last cricket match was played a few months later.

The ground was officially declared a 4 sided ground for the start of the 75/6 season with the opening of the south stand.

The cricket pavilion survived until 1981.

No we don't have a trophy room but we do have a museum
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharrowblade/sets
A Sheffield United Programme guide

[martino]

Pete’s Picture Palace wrote:

Pete’s Picture Palace wrote: My "Educating Archie" book says cricket was played there till 1973, but by then a stand had been built in front of the cricket pavilion. Where's Sharrowblade when you need him? I recommend that book - by Simon Inglis. It covers all the grounds designed by Archibald Leitch, including Molineux. Idiot that I am - this book is called "Engineering Archie".

Either way you must be as old as me!

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

Just about, Martino.

Educating Archie - wasn't that some sort of ventriloquist on the radio?

[derby1884]

Pete’s Picture Palace wrote:

Just about, Martino. Educating Archie - wasn't that some sort of ventriloquist on the radio?

That's right, Pete.
Tony Hancock had a spell as Archie's "stooge" in the early 50s.
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[Pete’s Picture Palace]

Photo is sold now, in case anyone suddenly feels it's worth investing in a fascinating piece of social & sporting history.

I won't say who bought it - but thank you!