[Archived] History Men: Help needed

[iamarover]

The attached photo is from the LET in the late 40s or 50s. My Grandad is in there with my great uncle. I am trying to find out the date. A few clues: It looks like v PNE who were with Rovers in the Second Division 1948 - 50. and the First Division from 1958. And the Riverside stand looks in development/shut...... am desperately trying to date it for the son of my Great Uncle. Any help much appreciated. A great photo. Check out the nippers at the front, one playing conkers. And there are servicemen

in the crowd (who apparently got in free according to my Dad.

[Hanks]

Taking into account the clue about conkers it could possibly be one of two home games, 16th november 1950,attendance 44,612 in the second Division or 4th October 1947 attendance 46,874 in the first Division. Other home games v PNE around that time were held in the spring.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Looking at the manner of dress I'd say it's more likely to be one of the games in the late forties. I've never seen so many flat caps in my life, and the number of men in ties.

[Hanks]

Have you contacted the Telegraph? They have a huge archive of photographs and regularly publish them in a bygone days feature.

[Audax]

It looks like this website below does provide attendances of individual matches.

http://www.11v11.com/teams/blackburn-rovers/tab/matches/season/1950

For example, Blackburn 1 0 Cardiff, attendance, 27,000+ in actually 1949.

http://www.11v11.com/matches/blackburn-rovers-v-cardiff-city-20-august-1949-105050/

Blackburn vs. Cardiff, Head-to-Head: http://www.11v11.com/teams/blackburn-rovers/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Cardiff%20City

So maybe some of this data can be of help.

General Figures: http://www.stadium-attendances.com/ewood-park-blackburn.htm

I read a book on football during World War II, so I find this kind of discussion fascinating.

As for the picture from post 1; few women, the style doesn't really say much.

Sometimes people determine things also by figuring out what kind of camera took the picture. It looks fairly modern in that vein.

1948 Olympics article with some crowd pictures, not of much help. The Olympics must have been held per August, around then. Still, might be of interest to compare.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2176930/1948-Olympics-Fascinating-images-London-hosted-games--budget-just-70-000.html

[Rover_Shaun]

Looks like it's spring to me. far too many comfortable children in light clothing for october (no matter what the owd uns say)

also Riverside stand isn't shut as you can't even see the seating area as it's out of shot.

Jim mk2 may have bene there with his grandkids

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

And to think the two old chaps ( flat caps,front of wall to the right) would have probably witnessed the two pre WW1 league wins, Cup final win and players like Bob Crompton.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Rovers v Birmingham at Ewood 1935.

[arbitro]

And to think the two old chaps ( flat caps,front of wall to the right) would have probably witnessed the two pre WW1 league wins, Cup final win and players like Bob Crompton.

Great picture. Two things stand out to me. Although it is in black and white the pitch looks like a bog and all the kids on the perimeter track on the Riverside and Blackburn End. The health and safety police would not allow a game to be played today with these as they were.

Edit: And the linesman hopelessly out of position.

[Exiled in Toronto]

Great picture. Two things stand out to me. Although it is in black and white the pitch looks like a bog and all the kids on the perimeter track on the Riverside and Blackburn End. The health and safety police would not allow a game to be played today with these as they were.

Edit: And the linesman hopelessly out of position.

That linesman looks like he's from the Tommy Duckworth school of keeping up with play

[arbitro]

That linesman looks like he's from the Tommy Duckworth school of keeping up with play

Actually John if you recall Tommy was an ever present for every home game for many years on the Ewood Park pitch. Can you remember why?

[Stuart]

Did it used to be the clubs' responsibility to provide linesmen?

[riverside returns]

Arbitro, the answer is he did the half time penalties.

[dave birch]

Tommy Duckworth, now there's a name from the past.

How did I survive SMC with him there.

I remember him "nailing" one fellow SMC pupil for breaking a train carriage window on the way back fro a Rovers away game.

[arbitro]

Arbitro, the answer is he did the half time penalties.

He did indeed for what seemed to be ages.

[Exiled in Toronto]

He did indeed for what seemed to be ages.

He was as motionless reffing games on SMC pitches as he was doing the Ewood pens, hairline offside decisions in the six-yard box called with complete authority from the centre circle.