ARTICLE: First Turf Moor floodlights switched on

[ClaretTony]

A look back to 1957 when our first floodlights were switched on

See link
http://www.uptheclarets.com/first-turf- ... witched-on" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Stan Tastic]

Surprised at how low the attendance was.

[ClaretTony]

Only 2,000 more on for the previous home league game against Arsenal and we were only playing a second division club in a friendly

[Royboyclaret]

Roy Stephenson in the Blackburn side that night. He'd been at Burnley for 7 years from '49 to '56 and was a decent little player.

No real recollections of that game but remember Dad taking me to Peel Park (perhaps a couple of seasons later) for the switch on of Accy's new floodlights when we were the opposition on the night. Pretty sure half of Accrington turned out for that one with the prospect of seeing Jimmy Mac on their ground, but were left disappointed as his place was taken by Billy 'Chalky' White.

[Ashingtonclaret46]

I remember going to Accrington Stanley in 1954 when they played their first floodlit game against Blackburn Rovers in front of what seemed a massive crowd --over 17000!
I also remember going to the Turf with my dad for the switch on of the lights as in Tony's article.
Our average gate that season was 22.493 ---not much difference to recent seasons.

[Herts Clarets]

"but they are still members of a lower league "

[dsr]

I'm sure I've seen somewhere that Burnley played the first ever floodlit game - against Padiham, in the 1880's. They used suspended gas lamps about 12 feet off the ground, and it wasn't a great success. All this from memory and I've no idea where from -anyone know?

[ClaretTony]

"but they are still members of a lower league "

I really couldn’t leave that line out - brilliant from Don Smith at the Express

[ClaretTony]

One addition to this is that Blackburn didn’t invite us when they switched theirs on and that upset Bob Lord.

[Vino blanco]

I was on the game, as a 10 year old, with a couple of pals. I don't honestly remember anything about the game as such, though I do remember having to keep looking up at the many individual lamps shining so brightly in the night sky, illuminating my favourite place on Earth, Turf Moor.

[Bullabill]

In a dim, dark corner of my mind there is something that tells me that the floodlights were second-hand and bought from the army - Aldershot maybe?
That match was the one and only time my younger brother went on t'Turf. After seeing the lights he wanted to go home and spent the entire match sulking under a barrier in the cricket field end.

[Ashingtonclaret46]

In a dim, dark corner of my mind there is something that tells me that the floodlights were second-hand and bought from the army - Aldershot maybe?
That match was the one and only time my younger brother went on t'Turf. After seeing the lights he wanted to go home and spent the entire match sulking under a barrier in the cricket field end.

I don't know about the lights at the Turf, however, Stanley bought a second hand stand from the army at Aldershot because I remember them transporting it to Peel Park. It is a matter of debate as to whether or not this contributed to the eventual downfall of the club because the cost of buying and transporting it turned out to be about 30 times more than had been budgeted for.

[claretblue]

is it just a myth that Bob Lord reduced the number of bulbs that were lit or even delayed them being turned on much before the game to save the pennies?

I never recall anything but full illumination for any of our floodlit matches

[FCBurnley]

Surprised at how low the attendance was.

Thought it was quite good considering the poor standard of the opposition. Like others on here I went to the game for sure but erased it from my memory as we lost. Any body noticed something missing from the programme cover ? ( see report)

[ClaretTony]

In a dim, dark corner of my mind there is something that tells me that the floodlights were second-hand and bought from the army - Aldershot maybe?
That match was the one and only time my younger brother went on t'Turf. After seeing the lights he wanted to go home and spent the entire match sulking under a barrier in the cricket field end.

The steelwork was done by Watson’s of Bolton and the towers were identical to those at Burnden Park. If memory serves there were 48 bulbs on reach tower.

[Royboyclaret]

The steelwork was done by Watson’s of Bolton and the towers were identical to those at Burnden Park. If memory serves there were 48 bulbs on reach tower.

Those original floodlights lasted just 18 years before being replaced in the mid-1970's at a cost of £30,000. The new lights were first used for a Lancashire schoolboys match in February 1975.

[ClaretTony]

Those original floodlights lasted just 18 years before being replaced in the mid-1970's at a cost of £30,000. The new lights were first used for a Lancashire schoolboys match in February 1975.

Different kind of lights installed in the 1970s, around half the number of bulbs.

[Cajun]

That great photo in the article CT, do you know what the match is? Can't work out the opposition. Can date it a little from the fenced off area in place at the BeeHole End. Appears to be Willie Morgan and Brian O'Neill in photo but who is shooting?

[CharlieinNewMexico]

The new ones in the 70s were halogen. They flickered on and took 5 minutes to warm up. But were super bright when they did

[nil_desperandum]

Any body noticed something missing from the programme cover ? ( see report)

I think you might have to tell us.
The only thing that I can see that is different to any other programme of that era is that it doesn't have the date at the top, but that has been replaced by the title of the game.

[clansman]

The floodlights are missing off the programme cover!

[nil_desperandum]

The floodlights are missing off the programme cover!

Well yes, but it was a standard cover for the entire season, (as was the case in those days), and they couldn't have floodlights that didn't exist on at the beginning of the season.

[clansman]

Opposition and date of match?

[claretblue]

Any body noticed something missing from the programme cover ? ( see report)

no I can't...perhaps you'd throw some light on it FC!

[Suratclaret]

I was a very exited 8year old that evening. The lights seemed so bright yet compared to today's floodlighting they must have been quite dull. Some very good players on show in both teams...Adamson and Clayton being two very classy players amongst others.

[ClaretTony]

That great photo in the article CT, do you know what the match is? Can't work out the opposition. Can date it a little from the fenced off area in place at the BeeHole End. Appears to be Willie Morgan and Brian O'Neill in photo but who is shooting?

Pic is Villa in 1966