A children's book about Sheffield United has been released to capture excitement of football

A children’s book set at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane has been produced to capture the excitement of attending a football match for the first time.
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‘Saturday, 3pm’ has been created by Anglia Ruskin University student Zoe Ellison – a lifelong United supporter.

Zoe created the book as part of her MA course in Children’s Book Illustration – and is currently in talks with publishers with a view to the book being stocked in bookshops in Sheffield and beyond.

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Zoe, 24, who regularly watches United matches on the Kop, said: “My dad is from Sheffield and although I grew up down south, I felt an affinity to my dad’s team. After going to a few other football matches, he eventually took me to Bramall Lane and I was hooked!

An illustration from Zoe's book.An illustration from Zoe's book.
An illustration from Zoe's book.

“I think my first match was against Barnsley and we won, but we lost quite a few straight after that. Being in my mid-20s I haven’t had many years of true joy as a Blade, so our recent success under Chris Wilder is an absolute privilege to witness, especially with my dad.

“The inspiration behind my book, which tells a story through a conversation between father and daughter, is the continuation of tradition through generations and how football highlights that. I wanted to show the awe and wonder a child can feel when seeing something like Bramall Lane and experiencing a football match for the first time, but also show how that feeling never really goes away.

“Whether your first visit to watch United was at 5 or 50, it sticks with you and you have to keep going back. I did all the artwork in black inks and mono-print, to give it a timeless feel. I’d like someone who first went 80 years ago and someone who first went last week to be able to look at it and be transported back to the beginning of their journey with Sheffield United.

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“I see young children and their parents at every match and I know it’s a story that many can relate to.”

“I’m currently in talks with some publishers about getting the book published, so fingers crossed something will come of it!”