Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, and since we’ve no place to go, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! We thought it an appropriate time of year to publish a winter-themed Vintage post featuring those most awkward of bedfellows – football and snow.

Before the days of fancy undersoil heating, snow was a greater nemesis to the game than it is now. Pitches had to be cleared by hand and players were expected to slither about in treacherous, rock-hard conditions without a murmur of complaint. On the upside, football blighted by winter weather did inspire some wonderful black & white photography as this gallery ably demonstrates.

1910 – Guards play at the Tower of London

1914 – Arctic football

1923 – a shivering Ricardo Zamora,

1926 – groundsman at Fulham v Everton, FA Cup 3rd Round

1926 – Arsenal v Man United kick-off

1938 – Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Sam Bartram at a snow covered Valley

1938 – Bolton Wanderers braziers at Burnden Park

1939 – Fulham players help clear the snow at Craven Cottage before a cup tie against Bury

1939 – British troops play in the snow in France

1942 – Germany v Croatia in Zagreb

1948 – clearing snow at White Hart Lane, Tottenham

1950 – Third Lanark v Celtic Scottish Cup tie postponed