Iconic Sheffield toy shop Redgates lives on with sponsorship of junior football team

Redgates still has a place in the hearts and minds of scores of Sheffielders and now its famous gate logo has been given a new lease of life on the kit of Brunsmeer AFC U13s after the club signed a unique sponsorship deal with the shop which closed more than 30 years ago.

The team’s Barnaby Dodsworth wanted to pay tribute to the much-loved toy emporium, still fondly remembered by thousands and which was regarded as one of Britain’s best toy shops.

He said: “I think it’s quite unique and positive.

"The district junior league was sponsored by Redgates for many a year.

"The idea was to get as many people talking about the iconic Sheffield shop as possible and its certainly a talking point on the touchline."

The club linked up with former Redgates employee Maggie Nunn, who worked at the store with her former husband John.

Added Mr Dodsworth: “Maggie, who funded the strip, came to watch on Sunday and were so touched they are coming again this Sunday.”

Last year, Mrs Nunn organised for a memorial plaque to be unveiled on one of the store's former sites in Sheffield.

The building which housed Redgates, on the corner of Furnival Gate and The Moor, has been redeveloped as an H&M store as part of the ongoing refurbishment of the area.

Dubbed as the finest toy shop outside London, Redgates closed its doors for the final time 30 years ago and the building was demolished in 2018.

The huge store, across several floors, was a haven of brightly coloured stacks of Lego, dolls’ houses, Subbuteo, Meccano, bikes, outfits, Matchbox cars, railway sets, wooden horses and board games.

And staff would be encouraged to play with toys in the store – especially in the run-up to Christmas each year when it would come into its own.

The shop was founded on Fargate by Edwin Redgate in 1857, later moving to The Moor and then Furnival Gate.