[jambutty]

Having watched the match a couple of times, a few things stood out compared to the modern game.

No replays for interesting incidents and goals. Well they didn’t have the technology then so there wouldn’t be. But it just goes to show how pampered we are today and it took some getting used to. If I wanted to see an incident again I had to stop, rewind and play.

The voice commentary was minimal and just by one person – Kenneth Wolstenholme.

When play was stopped for some infringement the player nearest to the ball, regardless which team he belonged to, would pick it up and toss it to the player about to take the throw in, free kick etc.

Free kicks and throw ins were taken from the right place to within a yard or so. The ref sent back any encroaching.

No one argued with the referee or linesmen.

There was no shirt tugging or handing off an opponent. But the shoulder charge was used to good effect. I didn’t see one single player spit.

When players jumped to head the ball there were no flailing arms to ‘accidentally’ catch an opponent in the face. How many modern players would head a football of days gone by?

Goal celebrations were minimal by today’s standards. Although Nat Lofthouse did actually kiss Eric Bell on the cheek when he scored. A surprised Kenneth Wolstenholme commented on it. Well Bell did play most of the match out on the left wing because of his injury and it was all he could do to walk, let alone run and kick the ball.

It was high speed action all the way for 90 minutes. When a team got the ball there was only one thought in mind - attack right away. No standing around and passing the ball across the field wondering what to do with it.