Football Addicts has released the earliest known footage of a football match dating back to 1898.
The creators of Forza Football and Forza 90 apps is hosting the film, which was unearthed by archives of the North West Film Archive (part of Manchester Metropolitan University), online.
The 45-second piece of footage shows a match between Blackburn Rovers and West Bromwich Albion which was captured by Welsh-based Derby-born filmmaker Arthur Cheetham 116 years ago.
Rovers won the match 4-1 at Ewood Park on September 24 in front of a crowd of around 12,000 with goals from Daniel Hurst, John Moreland and two from Thomas Jackson. The scorer for the Baggies was Ben Garfield.
The footage is in stark contrast to the crystal clear images we are privy to today but CEO and founder of Football Addicts, Patrik Arnesson, feels it still captures the passion of football supporters in all their glory.
"Although the coverage, rules, facilities, teams, leagues and players have changed over the 116 years since this film was shot, one thing remains the same: the passion of the fans. 12,000 supporters went to see this match, which shows how the enthusiasm for the sport was just as fervent then as it is now," wrote Arnesson in a statement released by Football Addicts.
"Even though Football Addicts is concerned with the future of football, and in how we can use technological advancements to benefit, and give a voice to, football fans, we also have a deep respect for the history and origins of the game that is today loved by the entire world."
Visit http://www.footballaddicts.com/ to check out the vintage footage of the Rovers taking on Albion at Ewood Park more than a 100 years ago.
