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Football Final - Play in Progress

The 1901 FA Cup final replay between Spurs and The Blades sees William 'Fatty' Foulkes’ ample backside in action

Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent

Overview

After a 2-2 draw in London, Sheffield United and Tottenham Hotspur contest the 1901 FA Cup Final again a week later at Bolton's Burnden Park. The first half action is glimpsed around the imposing frame of Sheffield's 6ft4, 300lb goalkeeper, William 'Fatty' Foulkes. The second half has a better angle on the Spurs keeper, as his North London team won the game 3-1. Don't feel too bad for Foulkes though - he already an 1899 final victory under his ample belt and the team would win again in 1902.

Film catalogues suggest that the 1898 FA Cup final may have been the first to be filmed, but this is the earliest example that survives. Both 1901 finals were filmed but only the replay footage survives. Along with the game footage seen here, the film Football Final - Entry of Teams (also on BFI Player) contains scenes of the teams heading onto the pitch.