FINAL SCORE & GRANDSTAND
Before 24/7 sports channels and instant notifications, Saturday afternoons meant one thing for football fans: Grandstand and Final Score. The ritual of watching results come in was sacred. I think anyone of a certain age knows exactly what I'm talking about.
GRANDSTAND
Running from 1958 to 2007, Grandstand was the BBC's flagship sports programme. Saturday editions became essential viewing for football fans, with the famous classified football results and Vidiprinter a highlight. Nearly 50 years of brilliant sports television. What a run.
THE CLASSIFIED RESULTS
At approximately 4:45pm, the classified football results would appear. Delivered in that distinctive monotone, each result was announced: "Arsenal 2, Manchester United 1. Aston Villa 0, Everton 0." Simple, methodical, perfect. For me, that voice is seared into memory.
FINAL SCORE
After Grandstand ended, Final Score continued the tradition. The format evolved, obviously, but the core remained: live scores, match updates, and the Vidiprinter. It was appointment television for generations. Everybody knew when it was on.
THE HOME RITUAL
Check the half-time scores on Ceefax. Switch to TV for the Vidiprinter. Wait for the classified results. This was the Saturday routine, wasn't it? Your dad shouting at the telly when results came in. The pools coupon on the coffee table. Pure nostalgia, but it meant something.
THE LEGACY
Though we now have instant access to scores on our phones, nothing quite replicates the communal experience of watching results unfold live. QFAX brings back that feeling: the anticipation, the drama, one score at a time. For me, that's what it's all about. Who knows, maybe new generations will get it too.
RELIVE THE NOSTALGIA
QFAX brings back the teletext experience for modern football fans. Live scores on PAGE 316, Vidiprinter on PAGE 350, and On This Day on PAGE 381. Download now and step back in time.
