This film is part of Free
Sheffield United v Bury (1902)
Sparkling images of fans and players at an Edwardian fixture at Sheffield's Bramall Lane.
Overview
Its sparkling images of players and fans make this one of the best of Mitchell & Kenyon's football films. Long, slow pans across the terraces capture the intense concentration etched on every face as Sheffield United, in stripes, lead the attack. The camera missed United's winning goal, but we do see one of the game's first celebrities, United goalkeeper William 'Fatty' Foulke.
Sheffield's Bramall Lane is the oldest major football ground still in use. It was finished in 1855 and hosted its first football match in 1862. United had an excellent 1902-03 season and finished fourth in the First Division, just three points behind the champions, their Sheffield rivals The Wednesday (as they were called until 1929).
Related
Everton v Liverpool (1902) Everton v Liverpool (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 5 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
The earliest surviving Merseyside derby on film catches two of Everton's goals in a 3-1 home win.
England v Ireland at Manchester (1905) England v Ireland at Manchester (1905)
Non-Fiction 1905 2 mins Silent Location: Manchester
An Edwardian contest between teams representing the English and Irish Football Leagues, with plenty of goal-line action.
Burnley v Manchester United (1902) Burnley v Manchester United (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 2 mins Silent Location: Burnley
First-ever footage of Manchester United in a tense Edwardian football fixture.
Everton v Newcastle United (1902) Everton v Newcastle United (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 8 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
The camera is a welcome distraction to the spectators of a home defeat at Goodison Park.
Preston North End v Aston Villa (1905) Preston North End v Aston Villa (1905)
Non-Fiction 1905 2 mins Silent Location: Preston
Early football giants Preston and Villa face up in an epic Edwardian contest.
Wales v Ireland at Wrexham (1906) Wales v Ireland at Wrexham (1906)
Non-Fiction 1906 3 mins Silent Location: Wrexham/Wrecsam
International football action in front of an enthusiastic home crowd in Wrexham.
The Queen at Sheffield The Queen at Sheffield
Documentary 1897 1 mins Silent Location: Sheffield
Sheffield gives the capital a run for its money with an impressive parade celebrating the monarch, a month before the Diamond Jubilee.
Special Olympics Special Olympics
Factual TV 1988 5 mins Location: Sheffield
Sheffield professional sportsmen train determined disabled adults to compete at the Special Olympics in this heart-warming short film. (
Women's Munitions Workers, Sheffield Women's Munitions Workers, Sheffield
Amateur film 1940 7 mins Silent Location: Sheffield
Highly-skilled women defy 1940s gender prejudices and produce munitions in one of Sheffield’s many wartime factories.
Wartime Events in Sheffield Wartime Events in Sheffield
Amateur film 1942 19 mins Silent Location: Sheffield
Military men and women from Sheffield put on a show from 1942-1947 in this patriotic compilation film.
Bus Strike Traffic Bus Strike Traffic
Sponsored film 1959 9 mins Silent Location: Sheffield
A Sheffield bus strike causes traffic congestion in this film that shows the significant local impact that a workplace dispute can have.
Sheffield Peace March Sheffield Peace March
Non-Fiction 1936 7 mins Silent Location: Sheffield
As the rise of fascism casts a shadow over Europe, the people of Sheffield take to the streets to deliver a powerful message.
New Perspectives: Tangerine New Perspectives: Tangerine
Short documentary 2025 3 mins
Harry Wallace, a student at Northumbria university, explains why Sean Baker's LA-set comedy-drama, about a transgender sex worker on the hunt for her cheating -ex, is worth your time.
Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode
Inside Film 2025 44 mins
Daniel Craig talks to Mark Kermode about his acting career, from his early role in Love is the Devil through to the Luca Guadagnino directed Queer.
New Perspectives: Fish Tank New Perspectives: Fish Tank
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Adam Smith of Northumbria University explains why Andrea Arnold's coming-of-age story, about a girl who uses dance to escape, is his favourite film on BFI Player.
New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Ball of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.
Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.