Tag: sheffield

A Happy Birthday at Hallam

I battled through the busy traffic into and through Sheffield on my way to Sandygate Road to ensure I was early enough to get to Hallam FC to get a seat and a program. A large crowd was expected to see Hallam play Sheffield FC for the first time in a few years in what is called the ‘Rules Derby’ a reference to the Sheffield Rules which are the oldest rules in football and still provide much of the basis for the playing of the game today all over the world.

Hallam FC, the second oldest club in the world were playing Sheffield FC the first and oldest club in the world. This at Sandygate Lane, the oldest football ground in the world for a semi-final place in the Sheffield and Hallamshire Senior Cup administered by, Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football Association, the first area Association established in England.

I have been to this ground many time before so will not describe it again but point out that the club have recently extended the standing area behind the ‘Shed End’ and that one side is totally open to the cricket pitch. Because of the exceptional 1496 crowd, spectators were allowed to stand on the hallowed cricket pitch side, something I have never seen here before.

These two clubs are experiencing differing stages in their life. Sheffield FC are still at their Derbyshire ground and trying to get permission to move back into the City to have a permanent home and build the type of local community spirit that has been built up by Hallam over the many years in one location. Hallam’s success in generating income through larger than usual crowds at their level of football and the resulting extras, food, drink, shop, club house, etc has also seen success on the field as well. It leaves them currently in a good position to make the playoffs at the end of the season. Sheffield FC despite their status as the oldest club in the world, which generates a world wide fan base needs a local grounding. Sheffield are uncomfortably at the foot of the Northern Premier League East, 6 points adrift of their nearest rivals. A relegation might see them playing in The United Counties Premier North Division next year because of their Derbyshire location. So this season it is Sheffield that are the team from one level higher than Hallam. but next year the tables could well be turned.

Another reason for the trip was that the game was on my 75th birthday having been postponed, due to the snow, the week before. It was also roughly 70 years since I had watched my first football match, when at the age of five I had seen St Albans City play in the Isthmian League.

Hallam FC 2 Sheffield FC 1

Sheffield and Hallamshire Senior Cup – Quarter Final. Tuesday 21st January 2025, 19.45 pm kick off. Hallam FC, Sandygate, Sandygate Road, Sheffield S10 5SE

Hallam; All Royal Blue kit, goalkeeper wearing pink top and black shorts. Sheffield; Red shirts with black quartered fronts and black sleeves and collars, goalkeeper in all green.

Hallam kicked up the hill in the first half on a pitch that is beginning to show some wear after some busy use. It was a cool night at 4 degrees and would have been colder if not for the cloud cover.

The home crowd were immediately behind their team and they took an early lead when Hugo Warhurst, their goalkeeper launched a long kick that was expertly controlled by James Cadman who drilled into the net.

The end to end play now produced a goal for Sheffield when Connor Cutts rifled home an equaliser from distance. Hallam gained the ascendancy again and were denied by good saves by Niall Edge and the post. Niall Edge’s kicking was not helping Sheffield to move the ball up field and Hallam kept up the pressure. At half time it was one a piece but both teams had played their part in a full blooded encounter that had been end to end.

Hallam started the second half like the first and scored with only a few minutes on the clock. A cross was met by Leon Howarth who steadied himself, moved across two defenders and found the bottom left corner of the net after a deflection. Cue Hallam supporters joy and a blue flare held high behind the bottom end net in which they had just scored.

Sheffield huffed and puffed and created one real chance when the advancing home keeper was well beaten only for the shot to be cleared off the line by one of the three defenders who had raced back to cover.

As the game went on it seemed that Hallam were the side putting it all on the line as they continued to chase and challenge everything. This effort despite their sapping away defeat in the FA Vase on Saturday. Hallam held on and deserved the win. With some strong teams left in the cup another fantastic night could be waiting for Hallam.

The Chips unfortunately did not live up to the rest of the evening, they were warm, soggy, OK taste and not greasy but only a score of 55. Not up to the normal standard here but I think a large batch had been cooked and I may have received the end of that.

All change in Kiveton

I have visited this ground before and the ground staff had won my chip league in the past.

My last visit 2 years ago was to see Sheffield Town F.C. play their first game as a ground share at the home of Kiveton Miners Welfare F.C. who played at the Miners Welfare ground which is also home to the cricket club next door.

Then in June 2023 it was announced that Kiveton Miners Welfare F.C. had been taken over and would partner with Sheffield Town F.C. An end of season visit in May 2024 I noticed that The Miners Welfare Team seemed to have a smattering of ex Sheffield Town players, which had seemed to have disappeared.

This season, no Sheffield Town playing in  the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Senior League and  Kiveton Miners Welfare ( traditionally a Rotherham team) are playing at the Olympic Legacy Park in Sheffield.

Now however Kiveton Park F.C. have taken up residence at Hard Lane. They are the oldest football club in the borough of Rotherham, formed in 1881. They are returning some of their teams after 7 years away. The club will be using three pitches which had previously been their home for over a century. Kiveton Park have been based at Wales High School, where they have developed a  partnership with the school, creating new facilities to include a new 3G pitch at the Chapman Fields site. This has meant there are now over 500, men’s, Womens, girls and boys affiliated to the club, some of which will stay playing at Chapman Fields.

So returning to Hard Lane to see the third resident in three years it was great to find that everywhere has been tidied up, mended and painted. The plastic seating in the large seated stand had been rigorously cleaned and mended. The sloping pitch, from end to end, was yellowing and a slight breeze was keeping the temperature at 14 degrees with a light drizzle.

Kiveton Park F.C. 1 Hepworth United Development F.C. 3

Saturday 7th September 2024;  14.00 pm kick off. Hard Lane, Kiveton, Rotherham.

Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football League Division 1.

Kiveton; Red shirts with black sleeves and front and back with faint black stripes down front and back, black shorts.
Hepworth; Deep navy blue shirt and shorts with colour graduation on front from white to blue.

Hepworth United started the game on top but it was Kiveton who had the best chance in the first 15 minutes. As the game progressed with Hepworth playing up the slope they took the lead after 25 minutes when their number 4 saw the keeper off his line and his shot  from the edge of the box took a slight deflection and  looped over the goalkeeper for the away team to take the lead.
10 minutes later and it was 2 nil as Hepworth number 3 took the ball to by line on left and with a beautiful left foot cross to the far post found a tall forward, with no number on back, who headed it down into the net. Kiveton had the most chances of the half but didn’t put any away.

With less than 5 minutes gone of the second half Joseph Holmes, in middle of goal, hit it with his left foot into top left hand corner of the goal to get Kiveton back in the game.
As the mist came down, Kiveton pressed for an equaliser and hit the bar with 78 minutes gone. But within a few minutes a corner for Hepworth from the right was headed by the home number 5, not clear, but over everyone into the far corner of the net. There was no way back from this and the 50 odd people watching were surprised that Kiveton had not managed to fashion at least a draw from the match.

The referee had a good game, keeping everything going and it was noticeable that there was a lot of talking but no swearing from the players.

The old iconic wood food wagon had gone and a new portacabin had replaced it to serve just hot drinks and snacks. Hopefully this will develop in the future.

I’m sure that Kiveton Park F.C. will develop their new home and look forward to chart their progress.