Sheffield's Youdan Cup football 'programme' valued at eye-watering £8,000

The Youdan Cup was contested by 12 Sheffield teams in 1867, who went head-to-head for silverware and local pride.

Last week a handbill or programme from the competition dated 15 February 1867 featured on Antiques Roadshow and was given a “conservative” valuation of between five and eight thousand pounds.

The oldest-known football programme sold for £35,000 in 2013.

‘The Sheffield Rules’, which had a major influence on the sport’s development, were used for the Youdan Cup and are listed on the piece of paper.

Matches in the tournament included eventual-winners Hallam v Heeley at Sandygate as well as Norfolk v Fir Vale at Norfolk Park and Broomhall v Pitsmoor on Ecclesall Road.

The owner of the item found it in the house of his late mother, who lived in Sheffield.

He said: “I’m shocked, I thought its only value was a sentimental or historical one.”