BLFC at Loakes Park - 11th November 1895

All photographs on this page are courtesy of Steve Peart

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On 11th November 1895 the British Ladies' Football Club appeared at Loakes Park, High Wycombe, and a number of photographs of the occasion have survived. They show the ladies in full flight, and also provide the earliest photograph record of the ground itself, which was to be the home of Wycombe Wanderers for the next 95 years, and which was renowned for its side to side slope. They also provide another interesting historical record; prior to 1902 the goalkeeper's area was defined by two semi-circles of 6 yards radius drawn from each goalpost, and these can be clearly seen in some of the images.

British Ladies Football Club at Loakes Park, 11th November 1895

The North team takes the field

British Ladies Football Club at Loakes Park, 11th November 1895

From this angle the pitch looks remarkably level, with the old gasworks in the background

British Ladies Football Club at Loakes Park, 11th November 1895

Is that canvas sheet in the distance to stop the ball, or non-paying spectators?

British Ladies Football Club at Loakes Park, 11th November 1895

A goalmouth scramble - Tom Burt's hill (with non-paying spectators) in the distance

British Ladies Football Club at Loakes Park, 11th November 1895

Looking towards the town - the infamous slope

British Ladies Football Club at Loakes Park, 11th November 1895

More action in the goalmouth - the old-style goalkeeper's area is clearly visible

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