History of Sheffield Football Club
Sheffield FC was formed in 1855 by Nathaniel Creswick and William Prest, two businessmen and members of a local cricket club who would organise a casual kick-about with other members. Up until this point, various forms of the game were being played nationwide mostly at public schools and universities, using different rules made up in each area. What took place in Sheffield at this time was the first attempt to create a definitive rulebook. Their first matches took place between players as they were the first football club around. They decided upon a set of rules which were then referred to as Sheffield Rules, these rules formed the basis for much of the rules still in use today, and also for the branch known as “Aussie Rules”. Over the next few years, more football clubs formed in Sheffield, until there were 15 by 1862. Sheffield created its own football association in 1867, and these teams were later amalgamated into the national association. Although there were disputes over the different sets of rules being used, with Sheffield wanting to stick to its own rules and the FA insisting it adopt theirs, Sheffield continued to play against teams across the country. Although the successes of the club have been sparse since the game took off around 1885, they have had a few notable achievements such as winning the FA amateur cup in 1904 and reaching the final of the FA vase trophy in 1977. Due to the club’s low profile within the sport, it has not attracted much money or publicity. Consequently many of the players at the club have only played part-time, whilst having another job outside of playing football.
The original team was largely formed by cricketers, looking for a sport to play in bad weather and the winter in particular. The team’s determination to remain an amateur side saw it drift into obscurity to some extent. The players remained amateurs and continued to hold second jobs whilst playing for the club, which allowed the club to keep its very close ties with the community. To this day, it still has a women's team and several youth teams. According to their website:
"Sheffield FC encourages players and fans from all walks of life to come together and simply enjoy all that is good about the game of football. The club are proud to include a very spirited Ladies team, a Disability squad and hundreds of very enthusiastic boys and girls from 8 years old upwards, who represent the junior teams, not to mention the association we have with over 40 schools providing a range of coaching programmes to teach skills and values that Sheffield FC hope will stay with our future generations for the rest of their lives."
In more recent times, the club received FIFA’s Order of Merit for services to football, one of only two clubs ever to be bestowed with this honour. They were also the first team ever to be inducted into the National Football Museum’s hall of fame. This is a good illustration of how important Sheffield FC’s role in the sport has been, and why it has such a prestigious history.
The original team was largely formed by cricketers, looking for a sport to play in bad weather and the winter in particular. The team’s determination to remain an amateur side saw it drift into obscurity to some extent. The players remained amateurs and continued to hold second jobs whilst playing for the club, which allowed the club to keep its very close ties with the community. To this day, it still has a women's team and several youth teams. According to their website:
"Sheffield FC encourages players and fans from all walks of life to come together and simply enjoy all that is good about the game of football. The club are proud to include a very spirited Ladies team, a Disability squad and hundreds of very enthusiastic boys and girls from 8 years old upwards, who represent the junior teams, not to mention the association we have with over 40 schools providing a range of coaching programmes to teach skills and values that Sheffield FC hope will stay with our future generations for the rest of their lives."
In more recent times, the club received FIFA’s Order of Merit for services to football, one of only two clubs ever to be bestowed with this honour. They were also the first team ever to be inducted into the National Football Museum’s hall of fame. This is a good illustration of how important Sheffield FC’s role in the sport has been, and why it has such a prestigious history.