The idea of using goal nets came about in the 1890s from John Brodie, an engineer from Liverpool, England. It is said that had the idea after watching a Football League match at Anfield on 26 October 1889, when Everton took on Accrington. The encounter ended all square, 2-2, but Everton protested that
they should have been the victors, having had a goal disallowed in the most controversial of circumstances. Brodie saw the umpire/referee wrongly disallow Alex Latta’s effort from an acute angle, as he wasn’t convinced that the ball had actually passed between the posts. The large pockets in a pair of trousers he wore gave Brodie the idea that ‘pockets’ that captured the ball would show that a legitimate goal was scored. Instead of pockets, nets were used, rather than canvas or boards – as they permitted good visibility for spectators. His early designs incorporated bells that would ring as the ball struck the netting. He submitted a patent design on 28 November 1889. Although John took credit for the design (the patent for a slightly revised version was approved in November 1890), Brodie’s nets were first tried out in local matches at Stanley Park. They were first deployed for a high-profile fixture on 10 January 1891 – a North vs. South international selection game in Nottingham. Fittingly, Fred Geary scored the first goal, with fellow Toffeeman Edgar Chadwick also ‘netting’. With the goal nets having proved their value, Everton trialled the innovative solution three weeks later at Anfield, when Bolton Wanderers fulfilled a friendly fixture. ‘Loiterer’ of Athletic News commented: Mr. Brodie’s net was up, and it looks a good invention. If it is generally used it will prevent a lot of unsatisfactory decisions by referees.
Suitably impressed, Everton approved the purchase of a set on 9 February. Before long other clubs followed suit and, from 1 November 1891 it was confirmed that they were to be used in all Football League matches. Advertisements for the ‘Brodie’s Patent’ nets were soon commonplace in newspapers across the land. The first FA Cup final to use goal nets was reported to be the 1892 final, played in London at Kennington Oval, between West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa.
Football netting were made of hemp until the early 20th century, when they were replaced by nets made of nylon. The first recorded use of nylon football nets was in a match between Arsenal and Chelsea on 27 December 1934.
