Sheffield's contribution to World Cup '˜66 celebrated

For five weeks The Moor Market is paying homage to Sheffield’s contribution to the legendary 1966 World Cup, which a triumphant England won 50 years ago.

The city staged four matches in the competition – three group games and a quarter final at Hillsborough

England went on to win the Wembley final against West Germany 4-2 with Sheffield’s Gordon Banks in goal.

The 50th anniversary of the city’s role in this historic championship is now being celebrated in exhibition Football’s Coming Home.

Former referee Keith Hackett said: “We should recognise that here in Sheffield we were the instigators of this great game of ours. Sheffield’s amazing football legacy is often overlooked, I think we let it pass by.

“This exhibition is all about celebrating Sheffield’s unrivalled football heritage.

“People often forget we’re the birthplace of the game and the key part of the Youdan Trophy is spreading that message across the world.”

The five-week exhibition will transform part of the market and celebrate life in the city at the time.

The event is part of city-wide countdown to the start of the 2016 Youdan Trophy – the new international Sheffield-based tournament.

The Youdan Trophy is set to take place in Sheffield from August 1st-5th. Group games will take place at Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park and the Warminster Road facility of the University of Sheffield.

At yesterday’s unveiling, excited schoolchildren piled into the exhibition to see a master class by renowned sports artist Paul Trevillion, who is designing artwork that will hang outside the entrance to the building.

Admission to ‘Football’s Coming Home’ will be free. It will run from July 1st to August 6. The exhibition is being delivered in partnership with The Star.

n See today’s Retro for more pictures.