Sheffield-Home of Football

During Heritage week, I joined the end of a tour of Crosspool, the area of Sheffield where Hallam FC is situated. We then moved into the clubhouse to listen to some facts about ‘The Oldest Football Ground’ in the world.

Looking across the football pitch you see the cricket ground bordering the open side. The Sandygate Road cricket pitch dates back to 1804 a year before the ‘Battle of Trafalgar ‘ and like many emerging football teams Hallam FC were partly born from the cricket club in 1860.

The Sheffield Home of Football group are forging ahead to promote Sheffield’s football Heritage being the birth place of the oldest team in the world, the oldest ground, the first cup and competition, the publishers of many of the original rules and many more firsts.

I had arrived at Hallam via Sheffield Town Hall where three cabinets of items relating to the history of Sheffield were on display. ‘Home of Football Group’ now have enough to display many more cabinets as they move towards a permanent museum in the city. One item in a cabinet was one of their latest blue plaques that are being put up all over the city in conjunction with the council to identify football/social history places that pioneers, events or places frequented. There is now a trail of these shown on ‘Home of Football’ web site.

Interesting in the cabinet are two pictures of the women’s game in the early years of the sport.

Some unusual facts that came out of the Hallam talk were:-

Football shirts in the beginning were either in a block colour or hoops as a loom to make vertical stripes had not yet been invented.

Hallam’s famous pitch slope is 1 in 26 but FA rules will allow up to 1 in 40.

The Youdan Trophy, the first football cup in the world, was not a cup but a ‘Coffee Jug’ bought off the shelf, because the designed cup was not ready in time for the competition.

The football club and cricket club have only 67 years left on their lease.

The exhibition goes on at Sheffield Town Hall until the 2nd of October and pilgrims to see the Hallam ground are always welcome.

Look up sheffieldhomeoffootball.org for all of the many interesting programs and projects that are going on.

Arthur Wharton

Back in July 2020 I posted a blog about Arthur Wharton that was titled ‘Black Footballers Matter’, after I came across his grave in Edlington near Yorkshire Mains football ground, where a new headstone had been erected after public subscription to recognise the first black professional footballer in the world.

One of the club’s he played for was Darlington and I found a further dedication to him there. I had visited a newly opened free museum/park, Hopetown. It is well worth visiting particularly this year with us celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Stockton to Darlington railway.

Having made a wrong turn to find a nearby Morrisons I saw an Arthur Wharton mural on the side of a building which housed the Arthur Wharton Foundation. The mural was painted by Jae Kaes who originally hails from Spain but was living in London, a world renowned mural artist.

The Arthur Wharton Foundation was created to celebrate his life as a true national and sporting pioneer. Not only a footballer, he was acclaimed the worlds fastest man at Stamford Bridge in July 1886 when he ran 100 yards in 10 seconds in authentic championship conditions. His cricketing prowess was also appreciated, playing in the very competitive Lancashire and Yorkshire Leagues as both an amateur and a professional. He also spread his talents to Rugby Union playing for Darlington, Rotherham and Heckmondwike.

Truly an amazing man.

Fittingly, opposite the foundation a small football pitch has been squeezed into a piece of grass which hopefully will produce the budding stars of a new generation.

Non-League Club Directory

This time of year, I usually advertise the new seasons Non-League Club Directory. Unfortunately this year I have recieved the email below that gives the sad news that the 2024/25 edition was the last one and after 47 publications there will be no more. Thank you for those many seasons of joy when thumbing through the many pages of tables and results of teams I had never heard of and aspired to visit in the future. In the early years it was invaluable for addresses to grounds now so easily found via Google Maps.

I will cherish all 47 editions that sit on my shelves and once again thank you and wish you well in your continued support for the game at this level.

Email from The Non-League Club Directory

Thank You…

You may or may not have heard that unfortunately last year’s edition of the Directory was in fact the last one.

Between myself and James Wright we tried our best to keep it going, for another season at least, but for a number of reasons it has not been possible to continue.

As some of you will know the above was where it all started 47 editions ago. Football has changed for the better, and worse but the one thing that remained the same throughout, the passion of real non-League followers and your support of the Directory, as well as our other publications such as Team Talk magazine.

Whether you bought just one edition or have the complete set (you must have a very strong book case!) thank you so much.

Good luck to you and your club for the season ahead.

All the best

Mike & Tony WilliamsCopyright © 2025 Mike Williams Publishing, All rights reserved.

The Football Season just gets a little nearer

July 4th, was an exciting day for many football fans with the draws for the FA Cup Extra Preliminary round, the first round of the FA Vase, the FA Trophy and the FA Youth Cup being made.

I was also privileged to attend Two Football Podcasts in Sheffield as part of the Crossed Wires Podcast Festival. In its second year in Sheffield, and this year being sponsored by BBC Sounds.

Crossed Wires adds to the many festivals held in the city, e.g. ‘Off the Shelf’, ‘DocFest’ and the music festival, ‘Tramlines’. I have seen some good football related talks at the first two.

My first Podcast was John Murray and Ian Dennis, BBC radios senior football commentators, chatting about their experiences in covering football all over the world. Working from a script, the Podcast was to a live audience and recorded for later transmission this summer, ‘The Football Daily – Commentator’s View’ took their usual chatty style although without their normal third compatriot Ali Bruce-Ball.

It was unbelievably relaxed and flowed often without their script. Putting faces to voices was unusual, although I was able to recognise both of their voices. What I took away from the hour was the amount of research they put in to each team, season and game with Ian Dennis showing his red book that he produces for each season and updates each day.

Ian Dennis is the usual commentator for the Saturday 3 pm kick off game and it was great to hear how proud he was to welcome the many millions of listeners each week when the ‘World Service’ hand over to his commentary.

Later in the day I was back to hear an hour Podcast by the BBC Sheffield Football team who cover the six senior teams in the area with commentary, phone ins, interviews and updates regularly. The Podcast was called after one of their shows, ‘Football Heaven’ but this had a strap line of ‘Access all area’ with them being able to air their own views as it was not to be broadcast.

Rob Staton, Andy Giddings, and Adam Oxley were able to tell of their most difficult match, interviews, phone in, club, journey and much more. These three have had very interesting careers so far, surviving a few scrapes on the way. Great to hear peoples true and frank views on all aspects of covering local football in a mostly humorous way.

As well as two informative and happy hours of football chat they were performed in the old Cole Bothers building which is slowly being cleared and brought back to life after John Lewis abandoned the City, something locals will never forgive them for.

Bakers need proving to rise above Popworld.

Butcher, Baker, Papermaker, with help from the Ice Cream Man.

I enjoyed watching football within the walls of Berwick-upon-Tweed Castle last year so I decided to return again.

I have written before about the Berwick Charities Cup and can only admire the dedication of the organisers, referees, and players who keep this tradition going each year. It is also a community builder with family groups of all ages turning up to watch with folding chairs, or just sitting on the walls or grass. Over 100 people watched for some or all of the match and as usual a collection box was passed round.

The ground it is played on is called the Stanks, a piece of land big enough for a full sized football pitch just outside the walls of the Elizabethan, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Castle. Now infilled, it was once part of the moat and has now served as a football pitch where thousands of pounds have been raised in the last 100 years.

There is an interesting exhibition in a local gallery showing 30 seascape by Lowry, who was a frequent visitor to these parts. I’m sure it will bring in many visitors but I think more could be made of the town promoting the Charities Cup which must be one of the wonders of the footballing world.

It was a glorious sunny evening with an onshore breeze keeping the temperature to a comfortable 18 degrees. The pitch is a bit uneven and there are flattened mole hills in one corner, but who cares, the pitch looks amazing.

Popworld AFC 3 Butcher, Baker, Papermaker 8

Berwick Charities Cup Group Stages: Thursday 20th June 7 PM Kick off

The Stanks, Berwick Upon Tweed

Popworld; All Royal Blue Strip Butcher, Baker, Papermaker; All Claret Strip.

It took only 13 minutes before ‘Butchers’ took the lead when their number 7 tapped in after the Popworld defence dwelt on the ball, were robbed and the resulting pass was in the net.

Only three minutes later and it was 2 nil when the number 9 waltzed through the defence to clip it into the far corner of the net followed by a screamer from the edge of the box by ‘Butchers’ number 6. Popworld were trying hard and were making a game of it and on 33 minutes managed to get a goal back when their number 10 scored, lifting the ball over the keeper from just outside the penalty area. Already the game was a lot more enthralling than England’s Euros game which had just finished prior to kick off.

Butcher, Bakers, Papermakers had numerous shots and one, with 10 minutes to half time, sailed over the bar, through the serving window of the ice cream van, where it was expertly thrown back to the loudest cheer of the evening.

So at 3-1 at half time it looked like there was still a chance of a Popworld fightback in the second half.

The second half couldn’t have started any worse for Popworld as their opponents scored three quick goals. In the first minute BBP’s number 7 hit the post and scored from the follow up. A few minutes later 7 again scored when he nonchalantly scored after a perfectly placed cross from far out on the right. He scored his third after some neat passing by his team mates.

Popworld scored next with their number 10 making a great turn and a bullet shot past the goalkeeper. This success was short lived when with the second highest cheer of the night, Popworld’s substitute, number 14, went to clear the ball with his head, 25 yards from goal, but it looped off his head over the keeper and into the net.

Popworld came back again when their number 10, again, leathered the ball past the massed defence from a freekick, 5 yard out, after a back pass to the goal keeper was picked up.

There was one more goal when BBP’s substitute, number 15, smashed the ball home and then ran to the crowd with his shirt off.

What a great evening, thank you to everyone. I will be back.

Non-League Day 2024

This year’s Non-League Day is just over 5 weeks away on Saturday 23th March. ,With no Premier League or Championship games on that day it is hoped more people will focus on and attend Non-League games all over the country. There are also now some sister events across Europe.

Some local teams try all different extras to encourage more spectators. For example Grantham Town are visiting schools and local grassroots football clubs to give away tickets to attend their home game against Sheffield FC on that day, one Adult and up to 3 children free. Look up the social media of some local teams to see if they are getting involved.

Another new innovation is that on the following day, 24th March, there will be Sunday League Day. Some groups are trying to organise local games that kick off at 10.00, 12.00 and 14.00 so that you can watch all three games.

Non-League Day was first thought of in 2010 and this year celebrates the 10th anniversary of a partnership with the Prostate Cancer UK charity to raise money for a great cause.

So put the 23rd or 24th of March in your diary and support your local teams.

Derby Shrovetide Football

In mid-week I ventured to Alvaston Library on the outskirts of Derby to see Ian Collins talk about his recently published book ‘The Derby Game’. The talk was very professional outlining the rivalry in the City over Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, its start and eventually demise in the 1750’s. What was most interesting was how he brought to life some of the characters involved. I bought the book afterwards and look forward to reading and reviewing it in the future, although it is in a queue

We were enthralled twice in the evening when a relative of the scorer of the goal in the 1949 Asboure Shrovetide Game produced the actual ball. It was an honour to hold it.

I must go and see this spectacle next year.

Totty Cup, the past and the future.

In South Yorkshire Sheffield has its oldest teams and grounds, in the Dearne Valley they have two cups with great histories. Last year I went to the 125th Anniversary of the Montagu Cup, the oldest football competition to be played continuously at its original venue, Mexborough. So when I read about the Totty cup I thought I would go and see what it’s all about.

100 years ago in 1923 a cup was presented to the winners of a schools football competition that had been donated by Russell Totty who was the proprietor of a Goldthorpe Picture House. Then it was competed for by “senior schools”, today it is a primary schools competition.

Russell Totty moved his family to Devon a few years later, but the organisers of this year’s anniversary had tracked down some of his decendents who travelled from Surrey to see the game.

What is heartening for the game and the community is the archive and memories that have been collected and grows with each year. The band of people who organise the administration of this cup and others in the area are amazing. The afternoon of finals, culminating with the Totty Cup attracted more than were at the Northern Premier League East game I was at last Saturday. They had produced a program, special 100 year pin badges and the clubhouse was open for drinks of all sorts and food.

To follow this there will be ‘The Totty Cup’ Anniversary Centenary book on sale by the end of the year. This follows the publishing, last year, of “The Mont” which chronicled the 125 years of the Montagu Cup.

The next Montagu Cup final, this year between last year’s beaten finalists, Dog Daisy United and Dearne & District FC, will as usual be on Easter Monday kick off 11.00 am at Mexborough Stadium. A great morning out but getting there early is always a good idea with an expected crowd of over 1000.

Like the Montagu Cup the crowd to see the Totty Cup was a real family affair with fans of all ages despite the overcast skies that had earlier turned the pitch and surrounding area into mud patches.

Goldthorpe Sacred Heart 1 Swinton Queen 1

With a Drone recording the game Swinton kicked down the hill in the first half in this 9 a side game. Sacred Heart were the only team who had a girl in their line up and it was them that went ahead after 10 minutes when a shot from outside the box sailed into the top corner of the goal. Individuals on both sides showed good skill on the muddy pitch.

The second half continued with end to end play and Swinton equalised when the ball was robbed from the Sacred Heart goalkeeper and hit into the net. Despite protests from the goal keeper the goal stood.

Sacred Heart now exerted more pressure but full time came and extra time of 5 minutes each way was started. The deadlock could not be broken so another two periods of 5 minute extra times were played. Neither side scored partially thanks to Swinton’s goalkeeper who was undoubtedly my man of the match. The two teams decided on a replay rather than penalties so this has been tentatively pencilled in for 30th March.

What a great community event which will be remembered by players, family, friends and fans for many years. An historic cup showcasing the future football talent.

An unexpected bonus was the chips that were hot, tasty, crispy, golden, fluffy centre and with no greasy after taste getting a chip league score of 68.

Football could be at your corner shop.

You may live in a neighbourhood where you have an RS McColl, McColls or Martin’s newsagent as a local shop. There are over 1100 of them, many with a post office within and more recently some have been changed to Morrisons Daily. More will now follow with last year’s takeover by Morrisons but they have also announced that 132 will be closing.

So what is this to do with football. Well it was all to do with a man from the St Rollox area of Glasgow named Robert Smyth McColl.

Robert was a promising footballer who started playing for a junior club called Benmore in 1892 at the age of 13. Two years later he moved to the amateur club Queens Park and success there led to a lucrative move to Newcastle United with a signing on fee of £300 of which he invested £100 into business with his brother Tom.

He stayed there until 1904 when he was transferred to Rangers, where he played for another 3 years before returning to Queens Park to see out his career. In that career he scored goals at almost one every two games. In one game near the end of his playing days, he scored 6 at Hampden Park, a record that still stands today. In fact he scored on average one a game for the 13 games he played for Scotland. He is still the only man to score three goals against all of the Home International teams.

Robert Smyth McColl finished his international career in a 4-1 victory over England at Celtic Park a year before he opened his first R S McColl store. He continued to increase the store portfolio until he retired in 1951, seven years before his death in 1958. A cup competition was named after him, the RS McColl cup junior football competition. – which is still played for today.

So if you are a football fan enjoy your McColls store until it is revamped and renamed.

Non-League Day 2023

This years Non-League day is on the 25th March when there are no Premiership games and few EFL due to Internationals.

Many clubs come up with innovative ideas to encourage people through the turnstiles, so look out for your own local teams games on 25th March. Often there are discounted admission prices to entice you along. Some clubs tie it in with raising money for a charity.

Non-League Day is attributed to James Doe who suggested it in 2010 and it has grown every year that it has been scheduled. The football authorities and the senior clubs all support it.

One club getting in the spirit of the day is Emley, good luck to them.