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Matthew Taylor - Football Journey

Sport historian Matthew Taylor takes a look at BFI Player’s new Football on Film collection and uncovers the game’s community roots. Football has always been about the spectacular, about big matches and star players. As a number of the clips in BFI Player's new Football on Film collection show, it was in one sense a branch of the entertainment industry from its early days. But what struck me most in browsing through the films in the collection was the extent to which they showed football as a product of communities; an activity which energised local populations and fostered senses of attachment and belonging that often lay dormant outside the context of the sport. Community appears to be the thread woven most conspicuously through the images and narratives of football in these films.
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Bradford City v Gainsborough Trinity (1903) Bradford City v Gainsborough Trinity (1903)

Non-Fiction 1903 9 mins Silent Location: Valley Parade, Bradford

Bradford City's first ever home league game after switching from rugby to football in 1903.

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Cup Final 1927 Cup Final 1927

Non-Fiction 1927 3 mins Silent Location: Wembley Stadium

Cardiff City Football Club takes on Arsenal in the 1927 FA Cup Final at Wembley. King George V and 100,000 spectators see Cardiff win 1-0.

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Shippam's football team Shippam's football team

Amateur film 1930 15 mins Silent Location: Chichester

Baggy shorts abound in this footie film from the thirties - where the chaps from Shippams Ltd play various matches, in rain or shine, and win a championship trophy.

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Mining Review 13th Year No. 7 Mining Review 13th Year No. 7

Cinemagazine 1960 8 mins Location: Linton

Bobby Charlton and his brothers Gordon and Jack meet their father Bert, a miner, as he clocks off from work.

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Shouts for City! Shouts for City!

Documentary 1975 26 mins Location: Stoke-upon-Trent

From 'Red and White' Rosemary to 'Zigger Zagger' and veteran Fred Trimble, who has been watching the Potters since 1913: Stoke City's fans are a devoted bunch.

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Nottingham Forest European Cup Civic Reception Nottingham Forest European Cup Civic Reception

News 1979 4 mins Location: Nottingham

Cloughie waves his magic wand and it's the greatest day thus far for the lads of Forest. Their first European Cup victory and the city grinds to a halt in scenes of jubilation.