FIFA President Sepp Blatter hailed Sheffield FC as the home of football at a special celebration to mark the club’s 150th anniversary. 

Blatter, along with FA chairman Geoff Thompson, former sports minister Richard Caborn and a host of the great and good from English football attended a special Thanksgiving to football service at Sheffield Cathedral and a gala dinner at the Cutlers’ Hall.

The event celebrated Sheffield FC as the world’s first football club and how they have helped develop the game across the globe.

Mr Blatter said: “It is an exceptional gathering in this good city of Sheffield, the greatest city in England!

“We are all in the house of football and Sheffield FC is the basis of our organisation. I come here to celebrate this occasion as a representative of one billion people worldwide who are directly and indirectly linked with football, to compliment the very first football club in our big family.”

Famous names at the event included former Spain manager and Inter Milan legend Luis Suárez Miramontes, Sir Tom Finney, Gordon Banks, Sir Dave Richards, PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor, The Lord Mayor of Sheffield Cllr Arthur Dunworth, David Blunkett MP, Clinton Woods, Junior Witter, Mark Bright, Derek Dooley, Bryan Robson and Brian Laws.

Blatter along with more than 500 people attended the service from the Dean of Sheffield, The Very Reverend Peter Bradley and Rev’d Giles Fraser before heading to the Cutlers’ Hall for the dinner.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown also sent a message saying: “As the world’s first football club and founder member of the Football Association, Sheffield FC has played an important role in the beginning of the nation’s long lasting love affair with football.

“Football has the power to unite communities both nationally and internationally and in particular through its football supporters, who are the lifeblood of the clubs they represent. Sheffield FC is an excellent example of how a football club can have a sustained and positive effect on its community.

“I would like to congratulate Sheffield FC and wish them another 150 years of success, and the very best of luck for the future.”

2007 is the joint 150th anniversary of Sheffield FC and Sheffield Chamber of Commerce.