Bramall Lane        

Sheffield, England

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Sheffield was the early home of Yorkshire cricket and Bramall Lane was at its centre. Its spectators were renowned as some of the most knowledgeable, partisan and vocal in the country, although opponents who proved themselves were warmly appreciated. But the venue was never an ideal cricket venue as it was primarily a football ground - its remains the home of Sheffield United and staged internationals as well as the 1912 FA Cup final replay. There was a certain irony that the site was chosen because of its clean air and good light; by the early 1900s it was renowned for soot-filled air and permanently gloomy aura, with local factories pumping out smoke to add to the choking smog. It was a surprise when Sheffield was chosen to stage a Test against Australia in 1902, less so when bad light was blamed for England's 143-run defeat. Poor attendances meant that the experiment was not repeated, although it did host one of the Victory Tests in 1945. Yorkshire upped sticks and changed their base to Leeds in 1903 and, while Bramall Lane remained a regular venue, economic pressures led to Yorkshire playing their final game there in 1973. That winter the football club filled in the open side of the ground with a new stand and its cricketing heritage was consigned to the history books.
Martin Williamson

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Latest Articles

• England's one-off Test ground (Jun 18, 2011)
• Yorkshire return to Sheffield (Feb 9, 2007)
• A farewell to a cricket ground (Nov 19, 2005)
• A taste of a Test at Bramall Lane (Jun 4, 2003)
• Farewell Bramall Lane (1974)

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Latest Photos

1973

Bramall Lane panorama during 1902 Test
© The Cricketer International

1973

Bramall Lane panorama during 1902 Test
© The Cricketer International

1973

Bramall Lane panorama
© The Cricketer International

1961

Bramall Lane during the 1961 Roses match
© Playfair Cricket Monthly

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