Blue plaque in honour of founding father of football unveiled in Sheffield

A ceremony to unveil the plaque commorating the workplace of the co-founder of Sheffield FC, Sir Nathaniel Creswick KCB, took place on Saturday, June 1 at East Parade, atttended by a large crowd, including the Deputy Lord Lieutenants, Jerry Cheung, Professor Jaydip Ray and the Master Cutler Charles Turner.

The unveiling was performed by Colonel Geoffrey Norton, Sir Nathaniel’s 94-year-old great, great nephew, who lives in Sheffield.

"The plaque is significant, because it was here that Sir Nathaniel wrote the first rules of football in 1858 and it also acted as the first centre of football administration in the world", said Nick Partridge BEM, Chief Executive of Sheffield Home Of Football.

"We were very pleased to see so many people attending this event including the Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council Kate Josephs, but also people from Sheffield FC, Hallam FC and local FA, the Cathedral and the council's heritage champion Cllr Janet Ridler.

"The plaque was sponsored by the current occupants of 9 East Parade, solicitors Norrie, Waite and Slater, who were oblivious to the importance of their address to the development of the game now played by over one billion people worldwide, despite being here since the 1970s."

The plaque is the second of 10 new blue plaques planned for the city centre by the charity to complement the guided football history walks which the charity also organises.

"This is Sheffield's Globe Theatre, our Lancaster Gate and the place where it all began and without Sir Nathaniel and his fellow Sheffield pioneers, the modern game wouldn't have evolved to where it is now," added Nick

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