January 1974, Britain is in the middle of a power strike and football has to be played in daylight, no floodlights.

Jimmy Allan, 19 year old Swindon Town goalkeeper, became Soccer’s first conscientious objector yesterday when he withdrew from his club’s home Second Division clash against Bolton this Sunday on religious grounds.

He is the first professional footballer to refuse to play on Sunday since Soccer on the Sabbath was sanctioned by the Football Association.

Allan, who comes from the tiny fishing village of Balintore, 75 miles north of Inverness [ English newspaper! ] is a member of the austere and strict United Free Church of Scotland.

” I have been brought up to regard Sunday as a day only for religious activities” explained Allan, who has been recommended for Under-23 honours, ” My dad has told me that he would not like me to play football on Sundays.”