O/T:- Illegal Screening of Sporting Events

[60YearsAPie]

Illegal screening of sporting events isn’t a new phenomenon, it was going on almost 90 years ago! There was great interest in the opening day of the Test at Trent Bridge on 8th June 1934, the first game between England and Australia since the controversial bodyline series. Gaumont British had bought the film rights for £250, and Central Press the still photographic rights. Spectators were searched as they entered the ground, not for drink – 40,000 glass bottles were cleared off the ground after the first day’s play – but for cameras! Any that were found were confiscated and returned at close of play.

A scaffold was built on the corner of Bridgford Road and Musters Road by a rival film company, and cameramen were stationed on the top. In an attempt to block their view British Gaumont erected screens on the top of the boundary walls. The scaffolding was then built higher enabling the cameramen to see over the screens. Gaumont British responded with an enormous balloon above the screens. The banned film company then hired a car and a man standing on its roof cut the guy ropes, enabling the balloon to float away towards the city centre.