Picture supplied by tv50.org.uk
The BBC re-launched its television service in 1946, but outside broadcasts were still limited to London. England games at Wembley, Highbury and Tottenham were transmitted live, although viewers missed out on the Sweden game in November 1947, because the cameras were being used for the following day's Royal Wedding of the Princess Elizabeth (the future Queen) and the Duke of Edinburgh. As a result, the only international match broadcast during that season was against the French amateur team at Ilford.

Jimmy Jewell*, who had refereed the first FA Cup Final to be televised in its entirety, in 1938, when he famously awarded the penalty that decided the game, in the last minute of extra time, was the BBC's first main football commentator after the war. He had also been manager of Norwich City, when war broke out. As well as the Cup Finals, Jewell also commentated on the 1948 Olympics and all of the England games, up until his sudden death, from a massive stroke, in October 1952.

Because of the geographical restrictions, whilst England were beating Scotland at Hampden Park in 1950, television viewers had to make do with live coverage of Wembley's first schoolboy international. This was an unexpected ten-goal treat, though, with a 15-year-old Johnny Haynes inspiring England to an 8-2 victory against their Scottish counterparts.

The 1950 World Cup in Brazil just came too early for TV pictures of the tournament to be beamed around the world, so stories of England's embarrassing demise at the hands of the United States took a little longer before the reality hit home.

* For more on Jimmy Jewell's extraordinary life, listen to BBC Radio's podcast that was created following the publication of this page - 'The Lost Voice of Football".

Thanks to Nick Gilbey for his help in identifying the Jimmy Jewell commentaries, to Robert Pedley for confirming the broadcast of the Switzerland game and to Paul Hayes for his extensive research leading to a definitive record of televised football during this period.

1946-47
231	Saturday, 12 April 1947 - England 1 Scotland 1 [0-1] Empire Stadium, Wembley - Kick-off 3.00pm BST	Television (BBC) - 4:05pm - 4:40pm commentator Jimmy Jewell (last 35 minutes only)
232	Saturday, 3 May 1947 - England 3 France 0 [0-0] Arsenal Stadium, Highbury - Kick-off 3.30pm DST*	Television (BBC) - 3:20pm - 5:10pm commentators Jimmy Jewell and Alan Clarke

1947-48
Other England Internationals	Saturday 3rd April 1948 - Amateur Lynn Road, Ilford England 0 France 2 - Television (BBC) - 3.10pm - 4:55pm commentator Jimmy Jewell

1948-49
244	Thursday, 2 December 1948 - England 6 Switzerland 0 [3-0] Arsenal Stadium, Highbury - Kick-off 2.15pm GMT	Television (BBC) - 3:05pm - 4:00pm commentators Jimmy Jewell and Pat Landsberg (second half only)
Notes		This game was due to have been played the day before and the whole game broadcast live, but a thick blanket of fog stretching all over the east of the country forced a postponement for 24 hours.
245	Saturday, 9 April 1949 - England 1 Scotland 3 [0-1] Empire Stadium, Wembley - Kick-off 3.00pm BST	Television (BBC) - 2:45pm - 4:40pm commentators Jimmy Jewell and Peter Lloyd

1949-50
252	Wednesday, 30 November 1949 - England 2 Italy 0 [0-0] White Hart Lane, Tottenham - Kick-off 2.15pm GMT	Television (BBC) - 2:05pm - 4:05pm commentators Jimmy Jewell and Peter Lloyd Newsreel (BBC) - Friday 2nd December 8:30pm - 8:45pm (following News at a Glance) (recorded highlights - first half only)
Other England Internationals		Saturday 15th April 1950 - Schoolboys Empire Stadium, Wembley England 8 Scotland 2 - Television (BBC) - 2:45pm - 4:30pm commentators Jimmy Jewell and Peter Lloyd

GI