Sheffield United and Wednesday join efforts to promote city as Home of Football

When it comes to Sheffield’s footballing firsts, it is almost hard to know where to start. There is the oldest existing association football club in the world in Sheffield FC, the oldest existing ground in the world in Sandygate, the home of Hallam FC, and the oldest football association in England, which was formed in 1867.

Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane ground is the oldest stadium in the world to still be hosting professional football and was also the first place to use floodlights. The Blades also featured in the first ever BBC radio match commentary on a professional game when they took Arsenal in 1927.

The first-ever FA Cup was made in the Steel City and the first chairman of the Football Association, Sir Charles Clegg, came from the city (he also played in England’s very first international against Scotland in 1872).

Meanwhile, the Sheffield FA even instigated the corner kick, a fixed crossbar and the free kick.

They were also first to discuss bringing in penalties but decided against them.

But much of this extraordinary history is little known outside of the city – and in a bid to change that, a new strategy is being launched today at Sheffield Town Hall.

It is hoped the 180-page plan will be the catalyst to claw back more than 160 years of lost history and make the ‘Made in Sheffield’ brand as synonymous with the world’s most popular spectator sport as it is with steel.

The ambition is to ensure the world never forgets its place as the global home of the beautiful game, with the proposals including goalpost-style signage over the M1 motorway on the border of the city hailing ‘Welcome to Sheffield Home of Football’.

Other ideas also include the launch of a Football Archive Centre and the creation of new sculptures in areas such as outside the railway station.

The city is hoping the unveiling of the ‘Sheffield Home of Football Document’ will start to build on the early successes of Sheffield Home of Football Ltd, the not-for-profile organisation behind the strategy which comprises representatives from Sheffield University, Sheffield Council, Sheffield Libraries and Archives and the author of a history of early Sheffield football.

There is also an advisory body that includes representatives for the city’s two great footballing rivals, Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United.

The body also involves Sheffield FC, Hallam FC, Sheffield and Hallamshire County FA, Football Unites Racism Divides, Sporting Memories and various historians.

Councillor Anne Murphy, chair of the group, says: “Football is far more than just a game. That’s why it’s of paramount importance we develop our unique position as its home. The sport builds communities; encourages social cohesion; boosts health and well-being and is a major contributor to the economy. We want to use our heritage to make Sheffield a more attractive place to live, work, visit, invest and play.”

The far-reaching strategy has been written by Sheffield University’s Dr John P Wilson and two MBA students. The group launched the popular Football Heritage walking app in 2018 and BBC’s Dan Walker unveiled the Football Treasures Day at Sheffield Library in 2018 that was attended by over 2,000 people. It was curated by renowned football historian Martin Westby.

The same year the group installed a commemorative plaque at the grave Nathaniel Creswick, the founder of the world’s oldest football club, Sheffield FC. Now, 163 years after Creswick set up Sheffield FC, a growing number of people in the city have a major goal in their sights – to ensure it is known the world over as the birthplace of the beautiful game.