Football's worst white-outs - in pictures

20 December 2010: A look back at games throughout history that were blighted by and often abandoned because of snow

Main image: The referee tosses up on a snow-covered football pitch at the start of the football match between Arsenal and Manchester United. Photograph: HF Davis/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

  • 17th January 1942: England centre-forward Tommy Lawton heads the ball past Scotland’s goalkeeper Dawson to score for England during an international match at Wembley Stadium on behalf of the Aid to Russia Fund. Bill Shankly is on the left (dark shirt) and Sir Matt Busby is to the left of Lawton
    Snow in sport: England Score

  • January 1963: Brighton fans watch the players warming up before the Division Three match against Crystal Palace
    Football white-outs: Brighton fans watch the players warming up

  • January 1963: A Tottenham fan sweeps the snow from the lines prior to FA Cup tie against Burnley. Spurs lost 3-0.
    Football white-outs: A Spurs fan sweeps the snow from the lines

  • January 1963: Policemen and ambulancemen sitting on the touchline at White Hart Lane during a blizzard
    Football white-outs: Policemen and ambulancemen sitting on the touchline at White Hart Lane

  • January 1968: The Clock End at Highbury is closed due to snow, but underground heating keeps the pitch clear for the fixture against Sheffield United
    Football white-outs: The Clock End at Highbury is closed due to snow

  • February 1986: Brighton and Peterborough play on a snow covered pitch during their FA Cup fifth round match
    Football white-outs: Brighton and Peterborough play on a snow covered pitch

  • Liverpool’s Ian Rush and Luton Town’s Rob Johnson slip and slide on Luton’s artificial pitch at Kenilworth Road, during their FA Cup third round match in January 1987. Final Score: Luton Town 0 Liverpool 0.
    Snow in sport: Luton Town v Liverpool Ian Rush

  • Fans in the stand at the City Ground prior to the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur being abandoned
    Fans in the stand at the City Ground prior to the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur being abandoned

  • Celestine Babayaro of Chelsea lies injured during the Second Round First Leg European Cup Winners Cup game against Tromso in October 1997
    Snow in sport: Soccer - European Cup Winners Cup

  • December 2001: The San Siro is empty as the game between Milan and Lazio is called off.
    Football white-outs: The San Siro is empty as the game between Milan and Lazio is called off

  • Helpers at St.James’ Park clear the snow from the pitch before the Barclays Premiership match between Newcastle United and Charlton Athletic in December 2005
    Helpers at St.James’ Park clear the snow from the pitch before the Barclays Premiership match between Newcastle United and Charlton Athletic on December 28, 2005

  • March 2006: A cameraman handles his snow covered camera during the Bundesliga match between Bayern Munich and Hamburg
    Football white-outs: A cameraman handles his snow covered camera

  • A fan makes a phone call while watching the snow fall prior to the Sheffield United v Crewe Alexandra match at Bramall Lane in March 2006
    A fan makes a phone call while watching the snow fall prior to the Sheffield United v Crewe Alexandra match at Bramall Lane in March 2006

  • The referee tosses up on a snow-covered football pitch at the start of the football match between Arsenal and Manchester United.
    The referee tosses up on a snow-covered football pitch at the start of the football match between Arsenal and Manchester United.

  • Liverpool’s Fernando Torres stands in the snow during their English Premier League soccer match against Aston Villa at Villa Park in December 2009.
    Liverpool’s Fernando Torres stands in the snow during their English Premier League soccer match against Aston Villa at Villa Park in December 2009.

  • February 2010: Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen looks to the heavens as heavy snow falls.
    Football white-outs: Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen looks to the heavens as snow falls

  • Players walk out onto the pitch as the snow falls ahead of the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Fulham at The Britannia Stadium in January 2010
    Players walk out onto the pitch as the snow falls ahead of the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Fulham at The Britannia Stadium in January 2010

  • West Ham striker Carlton Cole plays in the snow with Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson during their Premier League game.
    Football white-outs: West Ham's Carlton Cole plays in the snow with Blackburn's Paul Robinson

  • The players attempt to deal with the conditions at Portman Road during Ipswich Town’s game against Leicester City in December 2010
    The players attempt to deal with the conditions at Portman Road during Ipswich Town’s game against Leicester City in December 2010
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