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.
2024 was my seventh year of writing this blog and I thank everyone who has read it this year, making it the most popular year so far.
The year started at Garforth in North East Leeds where on a muddy pitch they were the better team and went on to win promotion later in the season. It was the first of 48 matches including some International Excursions.

There were three excursions outside of England, in theory, with games in Italy, Scotland and Wales (well almost).
The Italian game in Florence to see Fiorentina was a highlight, not because of the game or the weather, but because of the generosity of a local fan who guided me from the railway station to the ground and explained how I would get back. The unique Mussolini era architecture has cover for a very small minority of fans and the rest of us were drenched with a biblical type downpour. Luckily the food stall sold plastic ponchos, I wonder why!

The trip to Gretna was an experience in that I have not seen such avant garde parking. Cars were just abandoned everywhere, with no order but everyone seemed happy and negotiated leaving with no problems at all. The game was a great advert for the Lowland League and the Scotch pie was somehow tasty, I had never been impressed with one before.
On to Wales, but not Wales, as Cymru champion The New Saints played a European Conference League game at Shrewsbury Town’s stadium to meet UEFA standards. Although they lost 2 nil to a very competent Panathinaikos, their exploits at this stage of European football has raised the bar of Welsh football



The stand out game of the year was
Hednesford v Gainsborough Trinity in the F.A. Cup. Down and out, Gainsborough fought back to level at 3.3 at full-time and again came back to level at 4.4 after extra-time. Then the dreaded penalties that saw the away team go through 5.4. This will go down as one of the best games I have ever seen in nearly 70 years watching football.


Other highlights were seeing Loughborough Students gain promotion in a play off final when they overwhelmed Skegness 7 nil. A just reward, having previously been told by the F.A. that they wouldn’t be allowed promotion. A great decision by the F.A. to change their minds.

Another play off game saw, Shirebrook, a team near to me, stun Wakefield 4.0 to gain promotion but not in the completion they were playing in but in The United Counties League. This was due to another F.A. reorganisation. This one tidied up many clubs in the Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire, a good sensible move.
Good to see Chesterfield promoted and a great Chesterfield Sunday Cup final at Staveley where Brampton Rovers were winners 4.3 after extra time.
I saw Kiveton Miners Welfare’s last game at Stone Close and also one of Kiveton Park’s first. The ground already looks so much tidier. Just down the road I finally saw a game finished at S J R Worksop, but didn’t make it to Kirton Brickworks ground due to a switched venue because of a waterlogged pitch. Definitely one for the future.
I was bored at Mansfield in December but elated for the Chairman of Biggleswade Town, an old school friend, the month previous, when they came back to win 5.4 at Coleshill in the F.A. Trophy.
A second trip to see a Berwick Charities Cup match left me in awe, again, of this locally organised competition.

As the year ended Ashbourne, the underdogs, almost upset Clay Cross in the Derbyshire Senior Cup and should have reaped an award for their effort.
Finally another aborted visit to Appleby Frodingham’s ground saw me end up at Brigg and a last minute win at a ground soon to join the artificial pitch brigade.
As usual a fantastic year with 2025 beckoning. I wish everyone a Happy 2025.

Because I was passing and being an Aston Villa fan, I couldn’t resist popping in to see Real Union’s ground in Irun.
Real Union were bought by the magician, Unai Emery, in June 2021.
Formed in 1915 through the merger of two teams, one of which was started in 1902.
Real Union have a long history being one of the initial clubs that founded the Spanish National League Championship in 1929 but have not returned to those heights since being relegated in 1932. They currently play in the third level of Spanish football.
Real Unión were one of the most successful teams 100 years ago, winning the Copa del Rey in 1918, 1924 and 1927, and runners-up in 1922.
Unai Emery’s father and grandfather used to play for the team although Unai Emery never did.
The Emery family are now running the club that had been beset with financial problems for some time.
Unfortunately they have yet to advance up the league system and currently sit 6th having taken 13 points from eight games.
Another fantastic season which began many months ago in early July at Llangefni on Ynys Mons (Anglesey) with a friendly against Chadderton. It was a glorious sunny afternoon as I sat watching two teams enjoying a good kick about in their first game of the season. I had no idea that 49 games later, after one of the wettest winters on record I would be again watching football in the sun, but on a chilly evening as Brampton Rovers beat The Butchers Arms in the final of the Chesterfield and District Sunday League Cup.
To mention all 49 would take too long, so here goes with the highlights. Murder on Zidance Floor won through to the final of the Berwick Charities Cup played next to the walls of an Elizabethan Castle with the sunshine glistening on the sea in the background (the football wasn’t bad either.
Shirebrook at home kicked off the league season, two Norfolk games were squeezed in whilst on holiday and Wombwell Town featured early, played at their ground with a Go Kart track behind one goal.
The Retford derby was in bright warm sunshine and notable by the warmth of the supporters who were there for an afternoon out and a chat to friends from whichever camp. Tamworth had great facilities as well as good chips and went through in the FA Cup, Tamworth was the last team Paul Merson played for. The start and completion of a Mansfield evenings trilogy gave me a different perspective on this town.
The early games of the season were memorable particularly when I was adopted by some aged season ticket holders at CD National on Madeira. High fiving all of the five goals and a conversation by sign language and facial expressions was wonderful.
The best named teams were found north of Sheffield, Oughtibridge War Memorial Spots Club v South Emsall Services Firsts and the most improved ground at Dearne and District whose efforts off the field to pass grading rules were just surpassed by their team winning their league and promotion to The Northern Counties East League Division 1.
Wakefield’s new stadium, sharing with Wakefield Trinity (Rugby League) is a must go to for anyone in the area and where I will go again.
The reverse Retford Derby drew a large crowd on Boxing day and another Retford United big score (Maybe my new Boxing Day go to).
Goole AFC was an old ground with a running track round it that is due to be totally rebuilt as part of the Town Centre regeneration. I hope that this will come to fruition. Great chat with a Goole fan born and bread who now lives in Leeds but comes back for most home games.
The weather thwarted me seeing football within the Kirton Brickworks, the game being moved to a nearby village pitch to beat the weather. A must for next season. The weather almost beat me a few weeks later as I waited for the rain to stop in Florence to see Fiorentina play Lazio. Luckily it did but I will remember the fan who showed me the bus, where to get off, walked round the ground with me and was so, so helpful, all in a biblical rain storm. Football fans everywhere I salute you.
A great run in to the end of the season saw me see two Villa games, they didn’t win either but qualified for next seasons champions league, up The Villa. Loughborough Students put 7 past Skegness to win the United Counties Premier Division North play off final and right a wrong that I felt they suffered the previous season. It will be great to see them in the Northern Prem.
Shirebrook beat Wakefield in the Northern Counties East Division one semi final play off and despite losing in the final still gained promotion. A County Cup Final at Hillsborough saw Worksop Town outclass Penistone Church and a fitting engrossing end to the season at Staveley as Brampton Rovers beat the Butchers Arms in extra time to lift the Chesterfield and District Sunday Cup.
A brilliant season for me although in the game as a whole there were some worrying trends. Teams still battling with the aftermath of loss of revenue during Covid, high levels of inflation in all areas particularly in energy. reducing local authority support where local budgets have been squeezed, lack of continuity planning, a cost of living crisis hitting the pockets of fans and extra costs and administration as teams have expanded their women’s senior teams and teams for all ages and sexes. This has led to Nuneaton Borough, Marske, Hamworthy United etc to not complete their fixtures and Loughborough Dynamo and Coleville moving down leagues to reduce costs and re-group. There could be more to follow.
On the positive front a re-organisation of the United Counties Premier North League has produced very local games that should result in some competitive football and bigger crowds, bring on 2024/25, I can’t wait.
I have for many years wondered what ‘Penny on the Ball’ was. In the mid 1950’s, at the first football matches I watched at St Albans City, you went through the gate and were confronted by a table where they were selling programmes and “Penny on the Ball” tickets. I asked my Dad what it was and he told me that it was to enter a draw for the match football. Recently I saw on Ebay some tickets for a “Penny on the ball” competition. I bought the tickets for £1.25 and on reading them saw that the Colchester United competition was a closed one. This made me revisit what I had been told and realise that it was just a draw to raise money for the club.
I had always had my doubts as to what I had been told especially as we also had to buy the latest evening newspaper on the way home for the half time results. Strange as we had already seen them at the ground. I realised later that it was the latest racing results that he wanted to see. Today there are still the club raffles and draws etc. to raise much needed funds.
If anyone can throw anymore light on “Penny on the ball” I would love to hear from you.
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.
Looking back at 2023 made me realise how lucky I am and what a year. I ended up going to 50 games.
It started at Melbourne just off the flight plan of East Midlands Airport to see Derby Singh Brothers win in the cup. Both teams ended up being promoted but Singh Brothers had off field problems in looking for a new ground.
Seeing Aston Villa lose to Stevenage in the FA Cup was no surprise when you have watched many of their games in the last 35 years. Can you believe the turn round of 2023 which they ended second in the Premiership, the Unai Emerey effect, amazing.
Walking off with the car keys at Southwell caused me to miss the first goal, increase my heart rate and get a flea in my ear.
Bishop Aukland didn’t disappoint and nor did the Totty Cup. The Totty Cup final for youngsters was not just good football on a poor day but real family happiness.
Then in between some ex miners teams my first island hopping trip. The first to Guernsey to see a long term friend which gave me the chance to see the trend setting Guernsey FC. Jersey and the Isle of Man have followed them and our football is better for it. Perhaps in the future an island team may get to Wembley in the FA Vase final, let’s all hope.
The other islands I visited were Eriksay to stand on one of FIFA’s most iconic football grounds in the world. Harris to enjoy the Jock Stein Cup Final, Anglesey to see Llangefni prepare for a new season and sneaking away from the hotel on Madeira in the heat to the stadium where Ronaldo first played.
In July I finally made it to ‘The Stanks’ the Berwick Charities Cup and watched football by the ramparts of the first Elizabethan era with the sea as a further back drop. Where else in the world. It was all I had hoped for, I’ll be back some day.
Kings Lynn on the way back from holiday was disappointing both in the game and the cost, a bit of an illusion shattered, however positivity was restored when visiting Wombwell Town. This new club to the Northern Counties East League were table toppers to start the season, although drifting down a little since, with a developing set up that looks good for the future. It is also unusually a ground with a Go Kart track at one end.
I love some of the names in football and on a dry Saturday afternoon where else could you relax better than at Oughtibridge War Memorial Sports Club FC.
A Friday night at Dearne and District, where the Totty Cup final was played, saw the strides this club are making to not only to gain promotion through their football but their facilities too. Next season in the NECL will be an early season visit.
Breaking from Non League I attended a trilogy of game at Mansfield FC in the League Cup and EFL Trophy. I thoroughly enjoyed the games and found everyone welcoming which by reputation I didn’t expect.
The end of the year found me visiting the two teams in Newark and seeing Retford United score 4 on Boxing day. I saw United play on three occasions and in total they sored 13 goals, including the most exciting game of the season the 4-4 draw at Beverley.
As always I should thank all the players, officials, fans and helpers that made my year so enjoyable.
I also learnt in 2023 to let go of some of my fixed view on football grounds. I have never been sure of synthetic pitches always favouring grass. I now realise their true worth in that there are few postponements, the ball reacts consistently, players seem to try more skilful play, the facilities around the pitch are upgraded at the same time as the new surface is laid and mostly of all that they are a true resource for the community at large and the development of football for all ages. To counter this I have decided to re-visit Gresley Rovers one of those iconic patched together grounds with a real sense of history.
I own up to attending some events at the World Student Games in Sheffield in 1991 and thoroughly enjoyed it. The Games came up in conversation recently with Sheffield City Council just paying off the loans and debt that paid for them.
There are those that felt it was all a waste of money but it did put Sheffield on the sporting map at a time when the city was trying to find a new pathway following the post industrial strategy that had caused so much depression.
It was already known for housing the World Snooler Championship since 1977, which will see out its 50th anniversary in 2027 and hopefully more years after that as well as two high ranking football teams, a long standing boxing tradition and many more.
The 1991 Summer Universiade saw the opening of the Don Valley Stadium, the Sheffield Arena, Ponds Forge Olympic standard swimming pool and other regional sports centres. The City have announced that they are to borrow money again to upgrade and rebuild some of those regional centres.
The Don Valley stadium that was used for the opening and closing events and the athletics was demolished in 2013 as part of a budgetary cut back. It had hosted athletics, was the home of Sheffield FC and Rotherham United for a while, concerts including Michael Jackson, indoor sports training to mention a few of its uses.
Out of the ashes of the stadium and other attached land and venues has grown a world class sports and cultural campus. Some of the inspiration has come from the legacy of the 2012 Olympic funding driven by local people and organisations.
Don Valley Sports, Research and Entertainment Complex.
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Sheffield Arena opened 1991 hosts all types of entertainment and shows.
Don Valley Bowl for outdoor films, music concerts, fairground and many more.
English Institute of sport opened 2006 is the largest single provider for sports science, technology and engineering to everyone up to Olympians and prospective Olympians.
University Technical Colleges opened in 2016 is the campus for computing, health sciences and social care it works with local Universities, Colleges and employers to give education up to A level standard for students to progress.
Ice Sheffield opened 2003 houses an ice rink for all abilities as well as home to elite Ice hockey teams. There are two Olympic sized ice pads to enable the training of top competitors and can home competitions.
Sheffield Hallam University Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre campus opened in 2020 that researches how physical activity can improve physical, mental and emotional wellbeing in society.
The Park Community Arena, nearly completed, will house a 2000 seat arena for Basketball for Sheffield Sharks (Men’s) and Sheffield Hatters (Women’s) both playing at Britains highest level. Sheffield netball teams will also be able to play competitive games here a sport that is growing its profile. Part of the building will also house a state- of-the-art medical diagnosis centre for elite sports people and NHS patients.
Added to all of this development has been the recent opening of the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park which is now the home to Sheffield Eagles who are a second tier English Rugby League team. This permanent home will transform their chances of gaining Premier status in the future. The all weather pitch/facility is not just for Rugby League, all outside sports can hire all or part of the facility for training or competitive games.
It was this stadium I went to see as it is also the new home of Sheffield City FC who were advertising a walking football event.
Both were new to me, the stadium and its other pitches are first class and a great credit and addition to the sporting venues in the City.
This was the first time I had seen walking football which was invented in nearby Chesterfield and has now spread throughout the world. The competition I saw was for over 60″s, 6 teams entering the competition for £50 each for which they gained pitch hire, referees and a trophy to be presented to the winners. The enthusiasm was infectious but the crowd was only 2, me and the wife of a player.
It’s certainly a great game and a way of people who are no longer as athletic as they once were to keep playing competitive sport. I was surprised that the opening goal was scored at more like a trot. A player recieved the ball in midfield ghosted past a defender and drilled the ball along the ground to the left of the bending keeper and into the corner of the net. In my mind I queeried the pace he passed the defender but it is very difficult to judge the difference between walking and slow running.
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It was great to see the players thoroughly engaged and enjoying themselves. Being lunch time and no food available I walled up to the nearby tram stop (still called Don Valley Stadium) and went two stops for IKEA meatballs and chips. The tram stop is near the canal and near where the scene in The Full Monty where they try to steal some steel. Times have changed with Sheffield investing heavily in sport and leisure for the good of all and it deserves to keep on getting a world class response.
After hours of rain it finally stopped as I pulled up in the large grass overflow carpark at Shirebrook Town FC for their game against local rivals Clay Cross Town. Both come into the match with differing recent form and circumstances. Clay Cross were promoted this year to the Northern Counties East League and step 6 of Non League football for the first time whilst Shirebrook were reprieved relegation despite being in the drop zone.
With two league games already played Clay Cross had won two whereas Shirbrook had lost two. The momentum certainly looked on Clay Cross Town’s side.
Once in the ground I was immediately surprised by the changes. The club must have bought a job lot of paint and gained an enthusiastic team of helpers as everything has been painted and cleaned, it looks fantastic. The thick green grass of the pitch would be welcomed on any golf course fairway although the slope might test a few of the golfers.
The dull grey cloud didn’t dampen my enthusiasm for my start to a new season and a large crowd of 221, swelled by away supporters who had only travelled 12 miles, anticipated the start.
The Clay Cross team seemed to look much bigger than their opponents but Shirebrook looked energised with the return of their manager from holiday.
Shirebrook Town FC 5 Clay Cross Town 1
Saturday 5th August. 15.00 pm kick off
Northern Counties East League Division One
Shirebrook: Red and black vertical striped fronts to shirts with red backs and black shorts. Clay Cross: Light grey shirts with sky blue trimming and dark grey shorts.
There was intent by both teams in the first ten minutes but Shirebrooks impressive play on the right flank brought a goal on 12 minutes when Carlton Carty beat the defender again with skill and pace to swing over a pinpoint cross met by Kiyani Clayton whose looping header sailed over the goalkeeper into the net for an early lead.
The game continued to be competitive but fair and it took till the 31st minute for the referee to show a yellow card against Clay Cross for a crunching tackle in midfield. The referee up until then had been anonymous letting play flow.
As halftime approached the thick black skies dropped their predicted rain but the shower only lasted for a few minutes and held off for the rest of the match. Clay Cross’s efforts were not dampened and just before the break a free kick from the left was headed down and amongst a group of players Gracjan Klimczak squeezed it into the net to equalise. Halftime 1.1
Within 5 minutes of the restart Shirebrook, now playing down hill, were attacking when another superb cross by Carlton Carty was nodded down for Nathan Watson to beat the keeper to his right.
20 minutes from half time with Clay Cross being continually pegged back another ball from the right was headed down and after some neat inter-passing the ball was tucked away by substitute Liam Hardy for 3.1.
Clay Cross were trying hard to get back into the game and with less than 10 minutes left they forced the Shirebrook goalkeeper to make a diving save to his left. Being stretched after attacking, the ball sailed down the other end for a forward to be up ended in the box after he had chances to put the ball in the goal net. The penalty that was awarded was dispatched with ease by Liam Hardy, sending the keeper the wrong way.
A shaken Clay Cross conceded a 5th with minutes remaining when another cross by Carlton Cardy was met by Sam Geeves who smashed it home.
My man of the match was Carlton Cardy whose pace and skill tore the heart out of the visitors. In second place was the referee who kept the game flowing only blowing his while on rare occasions. If both of these teams stay in this league, which I predict they will, then this could become a must watch duel each season between these local rivals.
Unfortunately having won my chip league twice in the past I was disappointed by the chips being soggy with a greasy taste and only warm. A score of only 60.
NB. I have not mentioned any history of these two teams as I have in past blogs.
My trip to the Outer Hebrides found that football is alive and well in this outpost. I wrote about the iconic pitch in Eriksay and the Jock Stein Cup Final in Stornaway and on my travels saw some really good community football grounds. Scotland like England are developing a good pyramid system although both in my view need to make it easier for more clubs to go up into the professional ranks each year. The Hebrides are served by two Leagues the Uist and Barra Amateur Football League with 6 teams and the Lewis and Harris Football League with 9 teams. They all come together for the Coop Cup and compete in the Highland Amateur Cup. For a group of islands with a population of just less than 30000 this is some feat when you consider the logistics and distance (130 miles from the Southern to Northern point including two ferries). The competition is healthy amongst the community clubs with the facilities often reflecting a community hub.
The football I saw would grace Step 5 in England and apart from no floodlights, which are not needed for a summer league the facilities would be up there too.
The grounds I saw were:
Eriksay FC
Goathill Stornaway home to Stornaway Athletic and Stornaway United.
Back FC
Back is roughly 5 miles north of Stornaway and have a very neat pitch along with other community sporting facilities.
Ness FC
Ness is right at the top of the Island of Lewis only a literal stones throw from the lighthouse of The Butt of Lewis. A fan I spoke to at the Jock Stein Cup final said that they have a lively vibrant social club that supports the football team.
Point FC
Points ground is to the East of Stornaway just beyond the airport. The facilities look good but there was no one there to talk to.
A visit to Lews House and Museum there was strong reference to football in the Island life exhibits.
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