Two Inventors Created a VAR-Like System in 1998 but Couldn't Afford to Build It
Andy Lyden and Dave Evans devised a system remarkably similar to modern VAR in 1998. Their invention lacked the delays seen in current VAR. Financial constraints prevented them from building it.
The pair, who met through their church community in Sutton Coldfield, filed their "Player Tracking System" patent in May 1998. Lyden, then 31, worked in electronics, while Evans, 40, was a C++ programmer in insurance. Their design used fixed transmitters around the pitch and miniature tags on players to instantly flag offside calls to officials.
Crucially, they foresaw that frame-by-frame video reviews would harm the sport's tempo and atmosphere. Despite their technical foresight, the invention remained unbuilt due to financial limitations, leaving the concept to be realized decades later by others.
This story could influence how football's governing bodies view independent inventors, potentially encouraging more accessible pathways for testing novel officiating tools. Fans and players, who currently experience VAR's lengthy pauses, may see this 1998 concept as a lost chance for a smoother game. The patent's existence also highlights that technological foresight often outpaces financial backing, suggesting that broader industry support might accelerate future sporting innovations.