Sheffield is the Home of Football

16th March 2026

Sheffield is where the first football culture developed. 300million people go on pilgrimage every year. Sheffield needs to attract many of these pilgrims through it being recognised as the birthplace and crucible of modern football.

https://sheffieldhomeoffootball.org/product/sheffield-home-of-football-card/

The first Rules of football were written in the Adelphi Hotel (current site of the Crucible Theatre) back in 1858. This was one year after the FIFA recognised worlds oldest football club, Sheffield FC had formed. The second oldest football club would form a little later in 1860, Hallam FC. FIFA recognise Hallam FC's Sandygate ground as the oldest football ground in the world.
By 1862 over 20 teams were playing to the Sheffield Rules in the region of Sheffield Town. By 1875 it would be over 212 teams. For the first 25 years of modern football more than half the known teams on the planet were in Sheffield and its regions.
Local and national newspapers reported on the extraordinary occurrence in a northern town called Sheffield, playing this new and popular sporting pass time. 

Spectators paid to watch and the read about their own teams. 

Sheffield had the first football culture and the world needs to know about this.

Brammall Lane is the oldest stadium in the world still hosting international football

(Sheffield) The Wednesday is the 4th oldest football team in the world

Sheffield had the oldest and second oldest competitive football competitions in the Youdan Cup and Cromwell Cup (1877 &1878)

Sheffield had the first local derby

Sheffield had the first charity football match

Sheffield had the first floodlit match

Sheffield invested he art of combination play (passing)

Sheffield had more than another 50 firsts in football!