The film footage was discovered in a derelict shop basement in Blackburn, Lancashire. It had been shot way back in 1902 by the pioneering film-makers Sagar Mitchell and James Kenyon and is being screened tonight as part of the series "The Lost World of Mitchell and Kenyon".

The series provides a unique insight into life in late Victorian and early Edwardian Britain.

The match featured in the footage was between Manchester United and Burnley, played at Burnley. It reflects a time far removed from today’s millionaire players and international fanbases and the action on the pitch is sure to look "quaint".

So how good were Manchester United and Burnley in those days? Were they two of the top sides then?

Well, United had changed their name from "Newton Heath" to "Manchester United" only a few months earlier. Both United and Burnley were playing in the old Second Division in 1902 but both were soon destined for greatness.

United won the League Championship in 1908 and The FA Cup a year later. Burnley won The Cup in 1914 (team pictured left).

The football film was part of a massive collection of 800 reels, containing more than 26 hours of footage, which was found as workmen cleared out a shop in Blackburn. The legendary Mitchell and Kenyon had lived in the town all those years ago.

It was all so close to being lost - now BBC2 viewers can tune in to see Manchester United play in the year in which they first took that world-famous name.