News Archive 2006

Pete not only looks after the pitch for Sheffield FC - officially recognised by FIFA as the world's oldest football club - but he also looks after the pitch for Hallam FC, the world's oldest football ground.

The PFA has become a corporate member of Sheffield FC.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said: "As a corporate member of Sheffield FC, the PFA are proud to be associated with the oldest football club in the world. We wish the club every success in the future."

Sheffield FC chairman Richard Tims added: “We are pleased the PFA and Gordon Taylor have agreed to join our growing list of members from the world of football.

“Sheffield FC has a unique position in the game and we want to help tell the world about it.”

Players from Hallam and Redmires Rangers JFC, AFC Dronfield and Bramley Sunnyside JFC (pictured) )have all donated their unwanted boots to help kick-off the campaign.

Sheffield FC aims to raise a minimum of 2007 pairs of cleaned-up football boots for South African townships and help make the game more accessible for thousands of young people.

Tony Whitehouse from Hallam and Redmires Rangers JFC, said: “We are delighted to give our support to the campaign. These boots will hopefully be the first of many our club can generate for young people in South Africa. We hope other clubs across the region will follow and also give their backing.”

All the boots donated must be in a good wearable condition and correctly laced and studded. 

There are a number of boots collection points across the region, including at Sheffield FC’s Bright Finance stadium on Sheffield Road, Dronfield and at BBC Radio Sheffield’s Action Desk on Shoreham Street, Sheffield.

For teams or clubs wanting to donate more than one pair of boots, a special group donation pack has been produced to assist them.

For more information about how to donate a pair of boots to Sheffield FC, please contact the BBC Radio Sheffield hotline number on 0114 267 5444.

The oldest football club in the world launched its ‘Boots for Africa’ campaign as part of their 150th anniversary celebrations in 2007.

Sheffield FC aims to raise a minimum of 2007 pairs of cleaned-up football boots for South African townships and help make the game more accessible for thousands of young people.

Former England and Arsenal defender Tony Adams and 100 schoolchildren from the region started the campaign with a special McDonald’s football tournament at the club’s Bright Finance Stadium in Dronfield.

Sheffield FC hope junior clubs and members of the public will donate their wearable boots, astro boots or football trainers of any size to the campaign, with a number of collection points being developed by the club across the region. All the boots donated must be in a good wearable condition and correctly laced and studded. 

Sheffield FC chairman Richard Tims said: “In 2010, South Africa will be staging the World Cup - the first time the competition has ever been held in Africa.

“Sheffield FC is officially recognised by FIFA as the world’s oldest football club and is seen across the globe as where the game truly began. The club feels that it can use this unique position to again sow the seeds for the next generation of players and ultimately create a knock-on affect for the World Cup.

Collection points will initially be at Sheffield FC’s Bright Finance stadium on Sheffield Road, Dronfield and at BBC Radio Sheffield’s Action Desk on Shoreham Street, Sheffield.

Sheffield FC has already received support from the English Football Association and the South African High Commission for the special scheme.

For more information about how to donate a pair of boots to Sheffield FC, please contact the BBC Radio Sheffield hotline number on 0114 267 5444.

Substitute Rob Ward came off the bench to head home the winner and hand Sheffield a 2-1 win over Parkgate.

Rotherham-based Parkgate had taken an eight minute lead when Ryan Johnson poked the ball into the net after Sheffield failed to clear a corner.

Sheffield levelled the scores on the half hour mark when James Tevendale lobbed advancing Parkgate keeper Lee Manderson after a deep free-kick from Ryan O’Carroll.

In the dying stages of the game Ward was introduced and in the third minute of injury time, the striker latched on to a Jon Boulter corner to head powerfully past Manderson.

Sheffield manager Dave McCarthy said: “This is a fantastic achievement by the players, they worked hard all night and got what they deserved in the end.

“To clinch the trophy for the second year running with a goal in the final minutes is just remarkable. We were pushed all the way by Parkgate who can be proud of the way they played, they were a credit to their management.”