The astonishing images of early 20th century British football brought back to life after being expertly colourised

Sep 18, 2017

WHO dreams of jumping into a time machine and heading for a 3 o’clock kick off at one of Britain’s most famous old football grounds?

Well, you might not be able to stretch the space-time continuum and do a Dr Who back to the terraces of old.

Great Britain's Olympic team who won the gold medal in 1912 after winning the final 4-2 against Denmark in Stockholm — Great Britain’s Olympic team who won the gold medal in 1912 after winning the final 4-2 against Denmark in Stockholm

The captains of Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur watch the coin toss ahead of a match in 1912 — The captains of Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur watch the coin toss ahead of a match in 1913

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But we might have found the next-best thing.

Thanks to the wonders of digital technology, digital artists have re-mastered some black and white photos and rendered them in full colour, with dazzling kits of old, bowler hats in the crowd and wooden stands.

No, it wasn’t safe. Yes, the pitches were rubbish. Yes, the balls weighed as much as a sack of turnips.

But there were no sponsors, no cheesy post-goal music, no half-and-half scarves and no selfie sticks.

No false nines, no inverted full-backs or gengenpress.

The 1910/11 First Division champions Manchester United pose with the trophy they won for the second time

Billy 'Dixie' Dean emerges from the tunnel alongside Liverpool goalkeeper Elisha Scott ahead of a Merseyside derby at Anfield — Billy ‘Dixie’ Dean emerges from the tunnel alongside Liverpool goalkeeper Elisha Scott ahead of a Merseyside derby

"Pals' Battalion" were formed during the First World War with groups of men from the same village or workplace joining up together — “Pals’ Battalion” were formed during the First World War with groups of men from the same village or workplace joining up together

Instead, these fantastic pictures have been restored from black, white and sepia to full colour.

Depicting slices of life from a century ago, they show packed terraces and football heroes stretching every sinew for First Division and FA Cup glory.

And anyone who has read a history book will know that many of these photos took place in or around the Great War – where so many British troops were killed, including many top footballers.

Images such as Manchester United’s title-winning team of 1910/11 are incredibly re-created in colour, as is a superb image of the captains of Chelsea and Tottenham watching a coin toss in 1913.

A match between Arsenal and Fulham depicts the houses along Avenell Road behind the iconic stand at Highbury in 1914 – it was the North London club’s maiden season at the ground after moving from Woolwich.

The iconic East Stand at the old Highbury was not built till the 1930s and they would go on to live there for 92 further years before leaving in 2006 for the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal play in their old redcurrant kit against Fulham at Highbury during the club's first season at the ground in 1913-14 — Arsenal play in their old redcurrant kit against Fulham at Highbury during the club’s first season at the ground in 1913-14

The FA Cup final is played between Wolves and Everton in Fallowfield, Manchester - 30 years before it would find a permanent home at Wembley Stadium — The FA Cup final is played between Wolves and Everton in Fallowfield, Manchester – 30 years before it would find a permanent home at Wembley Stadium

Villa Park boasts a sell-out crowd for the visit of Aston Villa to Birmingham in 1907

Aston Villa show off a half-and-half adaptation of their now famous claret and blue colours in 1893

Another image shows thousands of fans watching a match between Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1893.

The showpiece match would not reach Wembley for another 30 years.

Aston Villa are, of course, a huge club in the history of English football, even if they have struggled to replicate times of old in recent years.

An incredible shot from 1907 shows Villa Park full before a match against Liverpool, while a team shot from 1893 shows off their classic claret and blue colours.

Another familiar face crops up in another frame – that of Bill Shankly in the colours of Preston, who he played for 297 times.

The former Scottish right half later went on to manage Liverpool from 1959 to 1974 and turned them from also-rans to serial winners.

The amazing colouring work is down to the efforts of retiree George Chilvers, 65, who lives in Wigan.

Scotland wing-half Bill Shankly kicks the ball for Preston - but he later became most famous for managing Liverpool in the 1960s and 70s — Scotland wing-half Bill Shankly kicks the ball for Preston – but he later became most famous for managing Liverpool in the 1960s and 70s

Edinburgh club Hibernian and Hearts face off at New Logie Green in Edinburgh in 1896 for the Scottish FA Cup final, the only time the game has been played outside Glasgow

Norwich City take on Corinthians at a disused chalk pit known as 'The Nest' in 1929 - they then went on to play at Carrow Road from the 1930s — Norwich City take on Corinthians at a disused chalk pit known as ‘The Nest’ in 1929 – they then went on to play at Carrow Road from the 1930s

England score against Scotland at Goodison Park in 1911

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Tags: Football

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