Memory Lane: communal football baths from days gone by – in pictures

Brentford players share a cramped bath after a hard training session at Bushey Hall in 1937, in preparation for their fourth-round FA Cup tie against Derby County Photograph: G. Adams/Getty Images

Chelsea players celebrate in the bath with champagne and the FA Cup trophy after their 2-1 victory over Leeds United in the 1970 FA Cup final replay at Old Trafford Photograph: A. Jones/Getty Images

Manchester United player George Best and team-mates enjoy a cup of tea in the bath at the 'Cliff' training ground, circa 1964
Photograph: Bob Thomas/Getty Images

Ipswich Town players having a bath together at Portman Road in 1939 after their 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in their FA Cup third-round replay Photograph: London Express/Getty Images

Graeme Souness, left, and Terry McDermott toast their success while relaxing in the Anfield bath with the League Championship trophy after Liverpool won the 1979-80 title Photograph: Bob Thomas/Getty Images

Some of the Fulham team take a well-earned bath at Craven Cottage in September 1934 Photograph: Fox Photos/Getty Images

Liverpool players celebrate after beating Wolves 3-1 at Molineux to clinch the 1975-76 League title. From left: David Fairclough, Emlyn Hughes, Phil Thompson, Jimmy Case, John Toshack and Steve Heighway Photograph: Bob Thomas/Getty Images

Members of the 1950 Brentford team in the bath after a training session in Ramsgate before their FA Cup tie against Chelsea Photograph: Reg Speller/Getty Images

Mark Hughes, Gary Pallister and Bryan Robson celebrate with some subtly-branded bottles in the Old Trafford dressing room after Manchester United won the 1993-94 Premiership title Photograph: John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

Fulham players enjoy a brine bath in Southend, in preparation for their important 1929-30 fourth-round FA Cup tie against Nottingham Forest Photograph: J. A. Hampton/Getty Images

Ex-England inside-right footballer, county cricketer and newly-appointed player-manager for Hull City, Raich Carter, watches over his charges in August 1948 Photograph: Charles Hewitt/Getty Images

Japes and tomfoolery in the bath after a Sheffield United training session in January 1937 Photograph: Fox Photos/Getty Images

Liverpool physio Ronnie Moran relaxes in the spacious communal bath at Barcelona's Camp Nou following Liverpool's 1-0 victory over Barça in the first leg of their 1974-75 Uefa Cup semi-final Photograph: Bob Thomas/Getty Images