Bramall lane is the oldest major stadium in the world still hosting professional football games.

Bramall lane is the oldest major stadium in the world still hosting professional football games.

we should get extra points for that !

The list would start with the very oldest, that inspired modern stadiums, like the Greek stadia (Olympia, Panathinaiko...), but also stadiums on other continents than Europe (Aztec civilization?) and of course the early stadiums of the modern sporting times in the 18th and 19th century, and who knows even before that.

Oldest American/European/Australian/Canadian... football grounds, oldest tennis stadiums, oldest cricket grounds, oldest rugby grounds, oldest baseball diamonds... you name it. Both grounds and infrastructures that still exist as demolished ones.

Some examples:
Bramall Lane (Sheffield, 1855): Wikipedia: "Bramall Lane Stadium is the home of Sheffield United Football Club in Sheffield, England and is the oldest major stadium in the world still to be hosting professional football matches."
1902:

Your quite correct there m8 but did you know Wednesday played there before United lol

And like it says grounds have been demolished and rebuilt on the same patch of land just like yours did, where do you draw the line, it will never be official something like this.

You didn't know this?

We're also the oldest United in The Football League, Bramall Lane hosted the first ever floodlit match and our 1936 FA Cup Final against Arsenal was the first match ever to be broadcast on radio.

The list would start with the very oldest, that inspired modern stadiums, like the Greek stadia (Olympia, Panathinaiko...), but also stadiums on other continents than Europe (Aztec civilization?) and of course the early stadiums of the modern sporting times in the 18th and 19th century, and who knows even before that.

Oldest American/European/Australian/Canadian... football grounds, oldest tennis stadiums, oldest cricket grounds, oldest rugby grounds, oldest baseball diamonds... you name it. Both grounds and infrastructures that still exist as demolished ones.

Some examples:
Bramall Lane (Sheffield, 1855): Wikipedia: "Bramall Lane Stadium is the home of Sheffield United Football Club in Sheffield, England and is the oldest major stadium in the world still to be hosting professional football matches."
1902:

Your quite correct there m8 but did you know Wednesday played there before United lol



do you mean the blades?

Donkeys years ago I read this fact somewhere, but it was worded something like 'Bramall Lane, Sheffield - The oldest sports venue in the world to be in constant use'.

I think you will all like this theres some breathtaking pictures here.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=666116

do you mean the blades?

Im not too clued up on all the old stuff to be honest its just what i read i wasnt born in the early 1900s :hihi:

certainly is, shame there isnt any old pictures of hillsborough on there

certainly is, shame there isnt any old pictures of hillsborough on there

there are a couple of sites where you can get them mate -just google it .ive got a few -i use one as my background on my laptop

[QUOTE=CorkerSWFC;4740121]
Your quite correct there m8 but did you know Wednesday played there before United lol

I didnt know that to be honest.

didnt think of that, will google it and see what comes up

who would have thought it eh the owls playing at gods country?

Do the wednesayites actually realise in years gone by the term 'pigs' which both teams actually now call eachother originated from the 1800's when the sheffield wednesday ground used to be a pig farm. Thats why it funny when wednesday call united pigs, they dont actually know why they are saying it.

Do the wednesayites actually realise in years gone by the term 'pigs' which both teams actually now call eachother originated from the 1800's when the sheffield wednesday ground used to be a pig farm. Thats why it funny when wednesday call united pigs, they dont actually know why they are saying it.

WRONG, that's an urban myth FizzyPop, Hillsborough stands on land formerly owned by James Dixon the silversmiths, and was bought from them for £4,500 way back in 1899. United are the Pigs cos of their bacon stripes :thumbsup:

Back to the topic, Bramall Lane was the old headquarters of Yorkshire County Cricket Club before they went on to Headingley, and also had Wednesday opted to pay the rent to play at Bramall Lane, United may never have been formed (just a thought) !

Doesnt matter we still have the best stadium.

Bramall lane is the oldest major stadium in the world still hosting professional football games.

Thought this was common knowledge? Glad the Owls got out of their. Didn't Hallam and Sheffield FC also use it before united. The only reason united got established because of that ground, so you have The Owls to thank (our chairman) and moving away from that ground

who would have thought it eh the owls playing at gods country?

You also know Wednesday were known as The Blades, until we changed it to The Owls?? Wednesday's chairman also formed united. You wouldn't be around if it wasn't for Wednesday, suppose thats where the hatred comes from :hihi:

Doesnt matter we still have the best stadium.

Not really.

Our Kop is better than yours.

South Stand is better than Cherry Street.

North Stand aesthetically is better than John Street (sorry but its an awful stand, from outside looks like a cutlers), John Street has better facilities.

Bramall Lane is better than Leppings lane to be fair.

Alty Owl at least we have a safety certificate for all of our ground, it is not falling down, and Hillsborough would certainly need more than a lick of paint to bring it up to Bramall Lane standard, have you seen the new kop that is planned for us puts that shed you call a kop into the history books where the whole ground should be

Were all Blades or should be

Not really.

Our Kop is better than yours.

South Stand is better than Cherry Street.

North Stand aesthetically is better than John Street (sorry but its an awful stand, from outside looks like a cutlers), John Street has better facilities.

Bramall Lane is better than Leppings lane to be fair.


I very much doubt that any fan in the country (save wednesday fans) would say that hillsborough is a nicer and better looking ground than bramall lane currently- in previous years yes for sure but nowdays definately not.

just pop "pigs" into google

who would have thought it eh the owls playing at gods country?

They also played matches where highfields libary is now and where the sheaf house pub is on bumhole lane, the players used to get change at the Earl of Arundle pub on Queens road and walk to the venues to play matches.

When they played Bramall Lane i think it was a cup game against The Royal Engineers (not to sure of the opposition though)

Despite all the spoof Adolf Hitler dialogues linking him to the Blades on youtube; there has always been a link between them.

On the 22nd March, it will be the 120th anniversary of Sheffield United's formation.

Just four weeks later in 1889, Frau Shickelgruber dropped, and so the 20th April would have been Adolf Hitler's 120th birthday.

Thus, these two evil and sinister creations have gone hand in hand together throughout their existance.

And Sheffield United may one day still get the chance to shoot themselves in the head in Berlin.

certainly is, shame there isnt any old pictures of hillsborough on there

Theres been no work done on it and Its not changed in the last ___ < insert number of years on the line
so no old pictures needed :hihi::hihi::hihi:

Not really.

Our Kop is better than yours.

South Stand is better than Cherry Street.

North Stand aesthetically is better than John Street (sorry but its an awful stand, from outside looks like a cutlers), John Street has better facilities.

Bramall Lane is better than Leppings lane to be fair.

Now you are just being silly :loopy::loopy:

Alty if your going to do Sheffield Football history, you should know that Sheffield Wednesday never played at Bramall Lane it was the wednesday that played there and both clubs were called the blades at that time and you adopted your nick name when you moved to Owlerton or the Pig Farm whichever is relevant


Were all Blades or Should Be

Alty if your going to do Sheffield Football history, you should know that Sheffield Wednesday never played at Bramall Lane it was the wednesday that played there and both clubs were called the blades at that time and you adopted your nick name when you moved to Owlerton or the Pig Farm whichever is relevant


Were all Blades or Should Be

"If you're going to do Sheffield football history", you should know better than to nitpick about the club being called "The Wednesday". It's the same club as Sheffield Wednesday, it was a change of name, not a different club. Tricky concept for you, I know.

By the way, "if you're going to do Sheffield football history" you should also know that both clubs weren't called the blades at the same time. We were the Blades, you were the Cutlers. We changed our nickname when we moved to Owlerton, and you then scavenged the cast-off nickname for yourselves. Just like you adopted Bramall Lane, and later started calling us pigs after we christened you with that because you didn't have the intelligence to think of something original. Until Wendys of course, which makes you sound like 4 year olds.

You didn't know this?

We're also the oldest United in The Football League, Bramall Lane hosted the first ever floodlit match and our 1936 FA Cup Final against Arsenal was the first match ever to be broadcast on radio.

So you called yourselves United which was a really stupid name because you weren't uniting Sheffield at all?

Bramall Lane's first floodlit game was more than a decade before your club was even formed so you can hardly take any credit for that.

The first FA Cup final to be broadcast on radio was actually in 1928 - although a league game between Arsenal and your lot was the first football radio broadcast in 1927.

pigs, wendys, blunts its all childish and what we called each other in the schoolyard.

So you called yourselves United which was a really stupid name because you weren't uniting Sheffield at all?.

the uniting was of the sheffield cricket and football club mate. so not stupid at all.

right i'm off to the match. going to be a tough one.

the uniting was of the sheffield cricket and football club mate. so not stupid at all.


It wasn't, the Sheffield United Cricket Club already existed well before the football club, the football club was an offshoot of the cricket club (as it was with the formation of the Wednesday football club).

Even the cricket club was formed about 30 years after the Wednesday cricket club was, so again, the name Sheffield "United" was a stupid one to choose.

Alty Owl at least we have a safety certificate for all of our ground, it is not falling down, and Hillsborough would certainly need more than a lick of paint to bring it up to Bramall Lane standard, have you seen the new kop that is planned for us puts that shed you call a kop into the history books where the whole ground should be

Were all Blades or should be

That's only the triangle mate. Bramall has just had some ****ty cladding put on it. It doesn't look nice at all from inside or out, yes the facilities have improved in 3 parts of your ground. The entrance to your main stand looks like a rough pub, not a patch on Hillsboroughs South Stand.

I very much doubt that any fan in the country (save wednesday fans) would say that hillsborough is a nicer and better looking ground than bramall lane currently- in previous years yes for sure but nowdays definately not.

It is a nicer looking ground character wise. Leppings lane defo not though. Cladding to me, does not constitute to make Bramall lane look nice.

So if no work has been done to the Lane what do you call the Westfield Corner stand the removal of all the pillars in the upper tier of the Bramall Lane Stand, new family corner on the kop and the infilling of 3 sides of the ground. only the kop remains to be done.

So when are you going to be able to open your entire ground or is it going to open when the take over happens the clock is ticking what happens after 31 Mar ooh its April Fools day

That's only the triangle mate. Bramall has just had some ****ty cladding put on it. It doesn't look nice at all from inside or out, yes the facilities have improved in 3 parts of your ground. The entrance to your main stand looks like a rough pub, not a patch on Hillsboroughs South Stand.

Whereas yours looks like it's stuck in the 1950s, and is way too big for what's needed now... The ground looks miles better than Hillsborough on the inside, where it matters... Hillsborough looks tired and sad, and in need of putting out of it's misery...

Although to be fair, yours is a multisport stadium too, what with the swimming pool you set up last summer :)

It wasn't, the Sheffield United Cricket Club already existed well before the football club, the football club was an offshoot of the cricket club (as it was with the formation of the Wednesday football club).

Even the cricket club was formed about 30 years after the Wednesday cricket club was, so again, the name Sheffield "United" was a stupid one to choose.



A Sheffield United Cricket Club was formed in 1854 and Bramall Lane was leased to the club by the Duke of Norfolk. The ground was opened with a cricket match on 30 April 1855.

League and County cricket continued to be played at Bramall Lane until 1973.

The final County match was on 7 August 1973 when appropriately, Yorkshire played their old rivals Lancashire.

Over the years Bramall Lane has housed both a Test Match and a FA Cup - a record shared by one other ground, the Kennington Oval.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Early football at Bramall Lane

The ground was initially used, on important occasions, by Sheffield Wednesday.

On 16 March 1889, the FA Cup Semi-Final between Preston North End and West Bromwich Albion was played at the Lane. The gate receipts were £574 - a large amount of money in those days - and they prompted a Mr Charles Stokes, then a junior member of the ground committee, to suggest to Sir Charles Clegg (who was then President of the FA and President of Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United) that a Sheffield United Football Club should be formed.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The formation of Sheffield United Football Club

On 22 March 1889 a meeting was held and it was decided to run a football team in conjunction with the Sheffield United Cricket Club.

At first it was difficult to find players but as a result of an ad campaign, the Club Secretary was able to announce on 29 May 1889, that they had been able to sign a full complement of players.

The club's first season began in August 1889 with a 3-1 victory over Sheffield Club. That same season also saw United's first appearance in the FA Cup. After winning four preliminary or qualifying ties and then beating Burnley in the First Round proper, they were thrashed 13-0 by Bolton Wanderers - the heaviest defeat in their history.

according to this mate we only used the ground on important occasions. so it was'nt really our ground. and they became united when joining up with the cricket club. not really bothered anyhow mate its what happens at hillsbrough that i worry about.

very enlightening -thanks for that:thumbsup:

Theres been no work done on it and Its not changed in the last ___ < insert number of years on the line
so no old pictures needed :hihi::hihi::hihi:

it didnt have a roof on the kop at first, rebuilt south stand, theres 2 for you:thumbsup:

So if no work has been done to the Lane what do you call the Westfield Corner stand the removal of all the pillars in the upper tier of the Bramall Lane Stand, new family corner on the kop and the infilling of 3 sides of the ground. only the kop remains to be done.

So when are you going to be able to open your entire ground or is it going to open when the take over happens the clock is ticking what happens after 31 Mar ooh its April Fools day


i went to the derby at the lane and have to admit its looking pretty impressive. think the corner at shoreham street and john street looks a little odd tho. my brother who is a blade season ticket holder informs me your kop end is to be knocked down and rebuilt. take it that corner is also part of the plans. we have the same problems at hillsbrough with the kop pillers hopefully one day we will be able to do something about it. 2 decent grounds in my eyes but both miles behind the emmirates and old traffords of this world.

i went to the derby at the lane and have to admit its looking pretty impressive. think the corner at shoreham street and john street looks a little odd tho. my brother who is a blade season ticket holder informs me your kop end is to be knocked down and rebuilt. take it that corner is also part of the plans. we have the same problems at hillsbrough with the kop pillers hopefully one day we will be able to do something about it. 2 decent grounds in my eyes but both miles behind the emmirates and old traffords of this world.

neither club will ever need a ground as big as those two though mate

i went to the derby at the lane and have to admit its looking pretty impressive. think the corner at shoreham street and john street looks a little odd tho. my brother who is a blade season ticket holder informs me your kop end is to be knocked down and rebuilt. take it that corner is also part of the plans. we have the same problems at hillsbrough with the kop pillers hopefully one day we will be able to do something about it. 2 decent grounds in my eyes but both miles behind the emmirates and old traffords of this world.

wouldnt swap either for those grounds. i'd never want to leave hillsborough unless it was for a good reason. just needs a bit of updating to the facilities and yes those poles on the kop must go

neither club will ever need a ground as big as those two though mate

sadly i think your right. my dad over 55 years an owl tells me of 60 odd thousand at hillsbrough in his early days. too many things keep fans away today high prices, high player wages, disloyal players, then theres sky tv, sentanta, bbc, itv, on line internet. and you'll always get those that will only go for the good times. waste of space supporters my dad calls them :)

sadly i think your right. my dad over 55 years an owl tells me of 60 odd thousand at hillsbrough in his early days. too many things keep fans away today high prices, high player wages, disloyal players, then theres sky tv, sentanta, bbc, itv, on line internet. and you'll always get those that will only go for the good times. waste of space supporters my dad calls them :)

all clubs have their fair weather floating fans

WRONG, that's an urban myth FizzyPop, Hillsborough stands on land formerly owned by James Dixon the silversmiths, and was bought from them for £4,500 way back in 1899. United are the Pigs cos of their bacon stripes :thumbsup:

Back to the topic, Bramall Lane was the old headquarters of Yorkshire County Cricket Club before they went on to Headingley, and also had Wednesday opted to pay the rent to play at Bramall Lane, United may never have been formed (just a thought) !

WRONG. It was a pig farmning area.

"The Wednesday football club was formed on 4th September 1867. The football club first played its games at the Olive Grove Sports Ground in Heeley before moving to a new stadium in the Owlerton district of Sheffield.

The first Ordnance Survey maps (1850's) mark a building where the stadium now stands as "swine cottage". They also show another farm on Penistone Road, south of where the North Stand is situated, which was also believed to be a large piggery.

Pork farming is thought to have been practised in the localised area since the early 1800's, and did not cease until around 1900 when the city's rapid expansion put an end to livestock production in the area. At its height the "Owlerton Piggery," as it was known, provided work for some 50 employees.

Initial discussions about a nickname began soon after the Wednesday arrived at Owlerton. In reference to their new home, most club officials were in favour of "The Owls." However, another suggestion was also popular. In view of the area's strong tradition of pork farming, a popular grass-roots alternative was "The Pigs."

Although the name "Owls" prevailed, many working class supporters continued to refer to their team as "t'pigs." A popular song of the time "They may be t'Owls to some, (but they'll always be pigs to me)" was performed in music halls across South Yorkshire. As late as the 1920's, fans used to welcome their team onto the field with the characteristic grunting sound we still associate with the club. This peculiarity was once referred to by BBC commentator Edward Milburn, who famously described Hillsborough as a "sea of grunts" moments after The Wednesday won the First Division title in 1932.

Aye thank you

Sorry im not wrong. I have seen maps of the area thanks.

So have I, so I am baffled by what you have seen fella :huh:
Any proof, or sources ???

WRONG. It was a pig farmning area.

"The Wednesday football club was formed on 4th September 1867. The football club first played its games at the Olive Grove Sports Ground in Heeley before moving to a new stadium in the Owlerton district of Sheffield.

The first Ordnance Survey maps (1850's) mark a building where the stadium now stands as "swine cottage". They also show another farm on Penistone Road, south of where the North Stand is situated, which was also believed to be a large piggery.

Pork farming is thought to have been practised in the localised area since the early 1800's, and did not cease until around 1900 when the city's rapid expansion put an end to livestock production in the area. At its height the "Owlerton Piggery," as it was known, provided work for some 50 employees.

Initial discussions about a nickname began soon after the Wednesday arrived at Owlerton. In reference to their new home, most club officials were in favour of "The Owls." However, another suggestion was also popular. In view of the area's strong tradition of pork farming, a popular grass-roots alternative was "The Pigs."

Although the name "Owls" prevailed, many working class supporters continued to refer to their team as "t'pigs." A popular song of the time "They may be t'Owls to some, (but they'll always be pigs to me)" was performed in music halls across South Yorkshire. As late as the 1920's, fans used to welcome their team onto the field with the characteristic grunting sound we still associate with the club. This peculiarity was once referred to by BBC commentator Edward Milburn, who famously described Hillsborough as a "sea of grunts" moments after The Wednesday won the First Division title in 1932.

Aye thank you

And your source is the 'Urban Myth' Fizzypop, so which web site have you copied and pasted it from ?
Thought you had seen the maps Kid :hihi: :hihi:

WRONG. It was a pig farmning area.

"The Wednesday football club was formed on 4th September 1867. The football club first played its games at the Olive Grove Sports Ground in Heeley before moving to a new stadium in the Owlerton district of Sheffield.

The first Ordnance Survey maps (1850's) mark a building where the stadium now stands as "swine cottage". They also show another farm on Penistone Road, south of where the North Stand is situated, which was also believed to be a large piggery.

Pork farming is thought to have been practised in the localised area since the early 1800's, and did not cease until around 1900 when the city's rapid expansion put an end to livestock production in the area. At its height the "Owlerton Piggery," as it was known, provided work for some 50 employees.

Initial discussions about a nickname began soon after the Wednesday arrived at Owlerton. In reference to their new home, most club officials were in favour of "The Owls." However, another suggestion was also popular. In view of the area's strong tradition of pork farming, a popular grass-roots alternative was "The Pigs."

Although the name "Owls" prevailed, many working class supporters continued to refer to their team as "t'pigs." A popular song of the time "They may be t'Owls to some, (but they'll always be pigs to me)" was performed in music halls across South Yorkshire. As late as the 1920's, fans used to welcome their team onto the field with the characteristic grunting sound we still associate with the club. This peculiarity was once referred to by BBC commentator Edward Milburn, who famously described Hillsborough as a "sea of grunts" moments after The Wednesday won the First Division title in 1932.

Aye thank you


Oh god, another sad blade who's churning this piece of complete fiction out for the umpteenth time! :D

Doesn't matter how many times you repeat this tripe pal, it doesn't make it true.

Shefield archives have the ordinace survery maps, in 2003 we all went from universiy when we were doing geography and local structure history.

thanks

Shefield archives have the ordinace survery maps, in 2003 we all went from universiy when we were doing geography and local structure history.

thanks

The ordnance survey maps, don't even show a farm, never mind a 'pig farm', your uni studies were flawed, young man !
The land where the ground stands was bought from James Dixon the 'Silversmiths' not James Dixon the 'pig farmer', so why did you quote the internet myth FizzyPop ?

BTW we are straying off topic, this thread is about Bramall Lane, have you ever been ? I remember watching Yorkshire CCC playing there, even saw Woodward and Currie, when I were a lad :thumbsup:

There is also a map from 1853 in 3 hillsborough books which shows swine cottage and the pig farms.
Oh well 'youn man' as the saying goes 'ya cant educate pork' lol

There is also a map from 1853 in 3 hillsborough books which shows swine cottage and the pig farms.
Oh well 'youn man' as the saying goes 'ya cant educate pork' lol

Your not wrong there porky, how do you spell university ? :hihi: :hihi:
Still not proved your statement, 3 Hillsborough books eh :huh:
Which ones are they then ?
I will have to check them out, cos them maps I've seen circa 1865 and 1890 don't show no such thing, me thinks you are telling 'pork pies' :thumbsup:

Archives, t'internet, maps, books, university...keep searchin fella !!!!!

Your not wrong there porky, how do you spell university ? :hihi: :hihi:
.....

Archives, t'internet, maps, books, university...keep searchin fella !!!!!

Perhaps he didn't mean University?
Perhaps he meant Universe "Y". I think it might be about 800 Million miles beyond Pluto.

Your not wrong there porky, how do you spell university ? :hihi: :hihi:
Still not proved your statement, 3 Hillsborough books eh :huh:
Which ones are they then ?
I will have to check them out, cos them maps I've seen circa 1865 and 1890 don't show no such thing, me thinks you are telling 'pork pies' :thumbsup:

Archives, t'internet, maps, books, university...keep searchin fella !!!!!

Dont patronise me. 1 I am dyslexic and 2 I do not support either 'pig' team! So dont make assumptions. I will in the meantime get you the book names if you so wish.
My original quote is from an extract from a document from the Sheffield Local History Society, which can be viewed at Sheffield's Central Library.

Thank you

Perhaps he didn't mean University?
Perhaps he meant Universe "Y". I think it might be about 800 Million miles beyond Pluto.

My my arent you a funny little thing :rolleyes:

My my arent you a funny little thing :rolleyes:

Not as funny as your 1853 map and story.

There's probably more chance of finding Universe "Y" , than that.

My original quote is from an extract from a document from the Sheffield Local History Society, which can be viewed at Sheffield's Central Library.


Actually that line is from the original version of the fictional article. Which doesn't exist.

So now you're quoting fiction in an effort to prove that fiction is fact.

Notice how its only wednesday fans who object.

Anyhow, I support neither. However I have sen the map. If you don not believe then fair enough, live in denial, no skin of my nose.

Notice how its only wednesday fans who object.

Anyhow, I support neither. However I have sen the map. If you don not believe then fair enough, live in denial, no skin of my nose.

So name the publications, so that we can all see them.

However I have sen the map. If you don not believe then fair enough, live in denial, no skin of my nose.

www.old-maps.co.uk

There you go, several 19th century maps of Sheffield on there. Perhaps you can find this mythical Owlerton Piggery for us that you claim to have seen proof of?

There actually was a Swine Cottage by the way, but it wasn't on the site of the ground as claimed in the fiction. Then again it also claims that we won the league in 1932, it's so pathetic that it can't even get basic facts right. So there's the clear evidence that it was written by a blade.

Back on subject

The only time we would need a ground like the Emirates or Old Trafford is if one club went bust and then there became only one club, now which club has the greatest chance of going bust is a entirely different arguement

We're all Blades or Should Be

Back on subject

The only time we would need a ground like the Emirates or Old Trafford is if one club went bust and then there became only one club, now which club has the greatest chance of going bust is a entirely different arguement

We're all Blades or Should Be

if sheffield only had one team like Newcastle then we would fill a 50,000 seater

Back on subject

The only time we would need a ground like the Emirates or Old Trafford is if one club went bust and then there became only one club, now which club has the greatest chance of going bust is a entirely different arguement

We're all Blades or Should Be


cant understand why either of us call each other pigs. my brother is a blades fan season ticket holder. i have one at hillsbrough with my dad. when we were kids he always called me a pig fan i can never honestly remember any of my wednesday mates refer to blades as pigs before he called it me. thankfully we've grown up since then and would never dream of insulting each other like that.

cant understand why either of us call each other pigs. my brother is a blades fan season ticket holder. i have one at hillsbrough with my dad. when we were kids he always called me a pig fan i can never honestly remember any of my wednesday mates refer to blades as pigs before he called it me. thankfully we've grown up since then and would never dream of insulting each other like that.

Welcome Back:hihi::hihi::hihi:

Welcome Back:hihi::hihi::hihi:

was thinking exactly the same mate:P

Bramall lane is the oldest major stadium in the world still hosting professional football games.

One or two things about this:

1. I know it's quoted in Wiki but they require a quotation so anyone could have posted it (what does the Guiness Book of Records say?)

2. Untill 1973 it was a Cricket Ground (and not a very "major" one only hosting one full test in 1902 the pollution around the Lane at that time was blamed for Australia's thrashing England by 143 runs in 1902) before becoming a dedicated football stadium.

3. Preston's Deepdale stadium (1860) must be the oldest venue to hold professional matches.

The FA legalised professionalism in 1887 United wern't formed untill 1889, Preston were formed in 1881. Wednesday moved, as a result of the professionalisation of the game, to Olive Grove on 12th September 1887. They and other clubs never played as professionals at the lane.

Preston did the double in 1888 a full year before United were formed.

However, the Lane was the first to see the Worlds first Golden Goal and Floodlights in 1878 but obviously they wern't watching United at that time. Anyone shed any light (forgive the pun) on who the teams were?

...

However, the Lane was the first to see the Worlds first Golden Goal and Floodlights in 1878 but obviously they wern't watching United at that time. Anyone shed any light (forgive the pun) on who the teams were?

I've a feeling I've read somewhere that it was a Sheffield v Glasgow fixture; but am not certain of that. Will try and confirm or rule out. They were quite common until the sixties.

The First Floodlit Match - heres a link to an interesting article on Chris Hobbs site :

http://www.chrishobbs.com/firstfloodlitfootball1878.htm

The First Floodlit Match - heres a link to an interesting article on Chris Hobbs site :

http://www.chrishobbs.com/firstfloodlitfootball1878.htm

From the poster then it seems that it was a demonstration game between two teams (Reds & Blues) made up of Sheffield's leading players at that time.

From the poster then it seems that it was a demonstration game between two teams (Reds & Blues) made up of Sheffield's leading players at that time.
Yes, I stand corrected.
The occasion (but not the golscorers) is also documented on pages 42 & 43 of "The Romance of the Wednesday" , by Richard A Sparling, available in the local history section of some libraries!

The 2 x Cleggs (captains) were Wednesday players as were a number of others on each side (cue; a future quiz question when did half a dozen or so Wednesday players, appear in red at Bramall Lane!). Tomlinson was from Heeley.

As a matter of interest, representative games between the Sheffield and London FAs (won 3-1) ; and against Glasgow lost 0-2; had already been played at the Lane (in daylight) before this; as had a Wednesday game against Glasgow Rangers (lost 1-2).

There is also a map from 1853 in 3 hillsborough books which shows swine cottage and the pig farms.
Oh well 'youn man' as the saying goes 'ya cant educate pork' lol
&
Notice how its only wednesday fans who object. .... Anyhow, I support neither.....

This poster makes a statement about educating pork, yet claims to support neither !!!!! :loopy::loopy::loopy::loopy:

You couldn't make it up!

How many people on here paid taxes in 2003?
Aren't you pleased the money was so well spent!

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This poster makes a statement about educating pork, yet claims to support neither !!!!! :loopy::loopy::loopy::loopy:

You couldn't make it up!

How many people on here paid taxes in 2003?
Aren't you pleased the money was so well spent!

I have seen some old maps of the area and there is no farm or mention of a 'piggery', some Unitedite seriously went out of there way to invent this story, which has done the internet rounds in recent years and some have taken it as fact, FizzyPop being one of them :loopy:

I don't believe anyone has any actual proof of who, why and when either club became known as 'pigs'

What happened in the past is not really my concern we can't change that only the future and as I said there is only one club at this present time that is on danger of going bust and it is not the Red and White one.

What happened in the past is not really my concern we can't change that only the future and as I said there is only one club at this present time that is on danger of going bust and it is not the Red and White one.
And I think we have probably all seen where you have expressed such a view elsewhere on this forum.

As this thread is entitled "Another bit of Blades History"; and The OP talks about the evolution of Bramall Lane (where ironically very few major events it has staged, have involved the Blades), discussion on events that have taken place there would seem appropriate.

As an aside Billy, Have you ever been to Germany?

The First Floodlit Match - heres a link to an interesting article on Chris Hobbs site :

http://www.chrishobbs.com/firstfloodlitfootball1878.htm

Interesting article.

It's also strange that despite floodlights first being used in 1878, the first time they were actually used in a professional game wasn't until the best part of a century later in 1956, at Portsmouth I think.

I don't believe anyone has any actual proof of who, why and when either club became known as 'pigs'

compleatly agree- no-one will EVER be proved correct on this!!



Although that won't stop us debating this endlessly over the next 50-100 years i bet!

cant understand why either of us call each other pigs. my brother is a blades fan season ticket holder. i have one at hillsbrough with my dad. when we were kids he always called me a pig fan i can never honestly remember any of my wednesday mates refer to blades as pigs before he called it me. thankfully we've grown up since then and would never dream of insulting each other like that.


Lout is right and at least he's honest about it. Forget all the piggery at Hillsboro crap it's just a myth. I grew up in the 50s and 60s and never heard either Blade or Owl call each other pigs.
It started in the early 70s and Blades used it for years, before, for what reason i have no idea Wednesday started with it. These internet message boards over the last 10 years or so has seen it esculate, with claims and counter claims. We can argue till the cows come home but any honest Wednesdayites of a certain age KNOW who really started it.

GEO

Depends in what capacity you mean was stationed in Germany in the 70s and have also been to a few England games

GEO

Depends in what capacity you mean was stationed in Germany in the 70s and have also been to a few England games

Forget it , mate. It wasn't the answer I was expecting, so glad you've cleared that up. You probably had some good times there then.

All the best.

Lout is right and at least he's honest about it. Forget all the piggery at Hillsboro crap it's just a myth. I grew up in the 50s and 60s and never heard either Blade or Owl call each other pigs.
It started in the early 70s and Blades used it for years, before, for what reason i have no idea Wednesday started with it. These internet message boards over the last 10 years or so has seen it esculate, with claims and counter claims. We can argue till the cows come home but any honest Wednesdayites of a certain age KNOW who really started it.

We are of a similar age, but I can't recall it being used in the early 70's. Infact it appeared as if by magic, and for no apparent reason, later in the decade if my memory serves me. I suppose that it was very easy to derive 'blunts' from 'blades' and almost impossible to derive anything derogatory out of the word 'owls', so they hooked onto the pig thing, but god only knows why.

You will no doubt recall tales of Wednesdayites not eating bacon because of it being coloured red and white, that's the only inference to the pig that I can think of. Had the piggery been correct then the blunts would have made use of it from circa 1895, I appreciate that some of them are a little slow but 70 odd years late, I don't think so. ;)

I remember exactly when I first heard it, the reason being I’ve only ever travelled with the supporters club twice in my life.
One of which was a league cup night game at West Brom in 1973. None of my mates were going and I didn’t fancy going the train on my own.
On the way back, two young lads, aged about 14/15 were sat on the seat in front of me. They were engaged in conversation and kept mentioning ‘Pigs.
I leaned over and asked them, ‘Who’s these pigs that you keep going on about?’ ‘It’ f**king Wednesday in it’ one of the lads said. ‘Why do you call em pigs?’ I asked. ‘Don’t know’ the lad said ‘but they are f**king pigs and that’s all there is to it’. Like I said that was 1973 and I don’t think the term was widely used by Blades, except for a clicky group of Blade beerheads who drank in the Sportsman on Denby St, they always called Wednesday ‘Pigs’.
It was maybe a year or two later, 75ish when a fanzine called ‘The red and white wizard’ started to appear. A couple of lads used to sell them in The Minerva and The Nelson in town. The mag was full of references about the pigs and that was the first time I saw a photo of the Wednesday team with pigs heads super imposed on the players. It was the days before computers, so it must have took a bit of doing.
The term pigs became more common and loads of Blades started using it. It must have been well into the 80s before I heard any Wednesdayites use it and it baffled me as to why they couldn’t come up with their own insult.
That’s why I say that Wednesdayites of a certain age must know about it. Wednesday fans in their 20s, 30s even 40s will have been brought up with it and can be excused.
I have heard the bacon story but as you say, it’s the same with the Hillsboro piggery story, why didn’t Wednesdayites call us pigs in the 40s, 50s and 60s? which we both agree never happened.
What I’ve said is 100% fact, I’ve got no reason to lie or to try and get one over on the Wednesday fans. I don’t use the term myself anymore, I used to but the impact of the slur as completely vanished, now that both sets of fans use it.

Notice how its only wednesday fans who object.

Anyhow, I support neither. However I have sen the map. If you don not believe then fair enough, live in denial, no skin of my nose.

They have been in denial for years.

And I think we have probably all seen where you have expressed such a view elsewhere on this forum.

As this thread is entitled "Another bit of Blades History"; and The OP talks about the evolution of Bramall Lane (where ironically very few major events it has staged, have involved the Blades), discussion on events that have taken place there would seem appropriate.

As an aside Billy, Have you ever been to Germany?

Wouldn't that be the same for Hillsborough though? The FA Cup semi-finals and England or Euro96 internationals didn't involve Wednesday?

Or did you just mean it was before United were formed - in which case the floodlights are pre-blades, but the cricket & football internationals and FA Cup final replay are in the blades era...?

Wouldn't that be the same for Hillsborough though? The FA Cup semi-finals and England or Euro96 internationals didn't involve Wednesday?

Or did you just mean it was before United were formed - in which case the floodlights are pre-blades, but the cricket & football internationals and FA Cup final replay are in the blades era...?

With the exception of the occasions in the sixties when Wednesday beat the Fairs cup holders (Roma) 4-0; and European Cup holders (Man Utd ) 5-4 in competitive competion, and staged a few highly prestigious friendly matches against the likes of Vasas Budapest (before my time, in the fifties, when Hungarian football was at the top) and Santos (world club champions in 1962) , your comment is fair.

I concede that my statement was not worded as well as it might have been.
One sentiment I was getting at, was that Yorkshire CCC had staged more significant events at the Lane, than United.

For me, the innings victory by Yorkshire over the 1968 Ashes winning Australian team, was a pinnacle of local sporting achievement in my lifetime.
Sadly, we will almost certainly never witness such again.

Bramall lane is the oldest major stadium in the world still hosting professional football games.

Alex
In Portugal with Bobby give us a shout when you get chance

i went to the derby at the lane and have to admit its looking pretty impressive. think the corner at shoreham street and john street looks a little odd tho. my brother who is a blade season ticket holder informs me your kop end is to be knocked down and rebuilt. take it that corner is also part of the plans. we have the same problems at hillsbrough with the kop pillers hopefully one day we will be able to do something about it. 2 decent grounds in my eyes but both miles behind the emmirates and old traffords of this world.

I've done an access appraisal for NADS (National Association of Disabled Supporters) at the Emirates Stadium, (as I have done for a number of other stadia) and the emirates, to say it's all "glossy and new", (well, lets say, it's under 10 years old!) isn't very good at all for disabled facilities or access.

The Emirates is built to the same design as Man City's "new" stadium, and has the same flaws in its design, such as poor viewing angles, from the wheelchair areas:- One of the problems is that the upper tier obstructs the sight-lines from the area, as it comes down too low.

The attendants accompanying disabled supporters are forced to sit too far away from their "charge".

Also, the ambulant disabled have to struggle down a bank of steps, thirty rows deep to get to their designated seating, which is a fat load of use if you are on sticks, or have a heart or lung condition!!!

An interesting anecdote on page 11, of Simon Myers' book "Football, the early years" (at present on the bookshelves) :-

quote:-
"Bramall Lane opened in 1855, and was available for all sports except pigeon shooting and whippet racing!"