14 October 1878: the first football match played under floodlights

The world's first football match under floodlights took place on this day in 1878 at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, as the “Blues” played the “Reds” in an exhibition match.

Floodlights are an essential part of modern football. And not just for the evening matches, which hold their own special appeal, but for the boring old Saturday afternoon matches too. After all, in the depths of December, the sun sets before the start of the second half, even in London. In Newcastle, you won't even make it to the end of the first half before darkness descends.

Floodlit football has been around for a long time – even longer than the Football League, which didn't get going until 1888. Because the first floodlit football match in the world took place on this day in 1878 at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, now home to Sheffield United, when the "Blues" played the "Reds" in an exhibition match under electric light.

As the Sheffield and Rotherham Independent reported, although "we have had plenty of athletic exhibitions by the light of gas", electricity was still in its infancy at the time. Indeed, Edison hadn't yet patented his electric light bulb. It was a huge novelty.

bramall-lane-i

And so that's why 12,000 people paid sixpence each to watch the game, and as many more again snuck in under the cover of darkness without paying. "The roads to Bramall Lane were completely besieged", said The Independent. "There seemed no end to the ever-coming stream."

Four lights were installed on wooden "stages" 30 feet high. Behind each goal was a "portable engine" powering the lights, which put out a total of 8,000 candlepower. It was a big success. "Everybody seemed highly pleased with the result of the experiment, the light being most brilliant and effective", said The Independent.

Of the football on offer, however, The Times reported the next day that "the brilliancy of the light dazzled the players and sometimes caused strange blunders" a phenomenon which was – until recently at least – all too common at Bramall Lane.

Recommended

3 renewable energy stocks to buy
Investments

3 renewable energy stocks to buy

These stocks look poised to benefit as the world transitions to a net zero economy.
31 May 2023
When can you retire?
Pensions

When can you retire?

An opaque outlook for the official state-pension age makes planning harder.
31 May 2023
Is it time to give up on buy-to-let?
Property

Is it time to give up on buy-to-let?

The number of buy-to-let mortgage products has plummeted in recent weeks, placing further strain on a market in which landlords already seem to be giv…
31 May 2023
30% jump in shareholder voting - how can you vote in upcoming investment trust AGMs?
Investments

30% jump in shareholder voting - how can you vote in upcoming investment trust AGMs?

The number of investors voting at AGMs has shot up since 2021 by 30% - but many still do not vote. With key votes coming up, here is how you can have …
31 May 2023

Most Popular

Best savings accounts – May 2023
Savings

Best savings accounts – May 2023

Interest rates have been creeping up - we look at the best savings accounts on the market right now.
31 May 2023
Nationwide to give £100 cash boost to customers
Personal finance

Nationwide to give £100 cash boost to customers

Nationwide Building Society is giving customers £100 as it reinvests profits. Dubbed the Nationwide Fairer Share scheme, we look at who is eligible.
22 May 2023
One day left for households to claim the £200 Alternative Fuels Payment to help with heating bills
Energy

One day left for households to claim the £200 Alternative Fuels Payment to help with heating bills

Households could be due a £200 payment if they heat their homes using alternative fuel sources and aren’t connected to the mains gas grid - but time i…
30 May 2023