We use cookies and other technologies to enable you to watch films. Continued use of this site indicates acceptance, as part of our Privacy policy.
Your cookies are disabled - you'll need to enable them to play any film. Find out how in our Privacy policy.
iPhone and iPad users: Chromecast now available via your iOS device. Download app version 2.8 to enable. See Help for more.
This film is part of Free
Early league football, with the team who will become Birmingham City losing at Anfield in a relegation year.
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent
Footage of this First Division football game serves as a brief appetiser for shots of enthusiastically waving crowds and an unusually prolonged group portrait shot of a handsome-looking fire brigade. The reason for their feature role is lost, but they beautifully illustrate the power of moving image to bring history to life when they drop their static poses and relax in front of the camera.
The game ended with a 3-1home win to Liverpool, the previous season's champions, over newly-promoted Small Heath. This game came less than a month after the two teams saw out a 0-0 draw in Birmingham on the opening day of the season. Liverpool fielded seven Scottish players, at a time when Scotland dominated the British Home Championship, revealing that the club's strong links north of the border long precede Shankly, Dalglish, Souness and Hansen. Small Heath, who changed their name to Birmingham in 1905 before settling on Birmingham City in 1943, finished the season 17th out of 18th in the table, and returned to the Second Division. Liverpool finished 11th.
Do you recognise a place, building or location in this film?
Help us populate the Britain on Film map by spotting and plotting the street or location you know. This is a BFI project and anyone can help.
Go to our Britain on Film crowdsourcing site and contribute to our mapping mission – to identify locations within our archive films.
Add a location
Non-Fiction 1902 4 mins Silent Location: Kingston upon Hull
Rugby arch rivals lock horns in Hull.
Non-Fiction 1901 8 mins Silent Location: Salford
Batley go down to Lancashire rivals Salford in the very first season of the Northern Rugby League.
Non-Fiction 1902 4 mins Silent Location: Stoneferry
A delightful day out on the water as Edwardian rowers mess about on the River Hull.
Non-Fiction 1903 2 mins Silent Location: Blackpool
Over a hundred Edwardian athletes gather for a gruelling walking race.
Non-Fiction 1901 7 mins Silent Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
An Edwardian football match at Newcastle's St James' Park ground.
Non-Fiction 1902 7 mins Silent Location: Nottingham
The game is held up for the camera to do a full tour of the cheering crowds at Trent Bridge, Notts County's home until 1910.
Charity appeal 1936 26 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
Bookbinding and a bagatelle: training for disabled people in the interwar years.
Instructional film/TV programme 1955 37 mins Location: Liverpool
Good luck and safe motorcycling! Let the experts show you how.
Amateur film 1956 12 mins Silent Location: Dingle
Riding around the city on the Dockers' Umbrella - the last days of an iconic local landmark.
Non-Fiction 1952 12 mins Silent Location: Bolton
Any old iron? The people of the North West contribute to the nationwide collection of scrap metal.
Non-Fiction 1930 1 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
Liverpool students run riot for the annual rag race
Travelogue 1930 3 mins Location: Liverpool
A tour of Liverpool's sights with commentary by the then Lord Mayor
Documentary 1980 17 mins Location: Crossmaglen
Experience life in Crossmaglen by spending the day with Minnie Clarke.
Documentary 1974 7 mins Location: Dunmurry
Artist William Campbell introduces the tools of his trade as he paints for Ulster Television’s cameras
1951 mins Location: Leeds
Campaigning film 1978 17 mins
A brief encounter between film director David Lean and Leonard Cheshire, who speaks about his work in India for disabled people
News 1986 52 mins Location: Plymouth
This documentary charts the progress and challenges of disabled people living in the community.
