Remembering HMS Sheffield

The event, which featured a football tournament for a grassroots football club, was held of part of a wider initiative to fund the commemorative journey of Falklands veterans to return to the site of the shipwrecked vessel, which sunk off the coast of the Falklands during the conflict in 1982.

The event, which raised £1,800, was hosted by the HMS Sheffield D80 division of the South Atlantic Medal Association 82 and supported by Sheffield United and family business Singh’s Premier store, on Cherry Street near Bramall Lane. The division is hoping to raise £8,250 – representative of the number of miles the shipwreck is located from Sheffield.

Former crew member John Widdowson, aged 53, said: “It was a truly great evening at Bramall Lane and I’m extremely grateful for the support of both Sheffield United and Singh’s Premier store in making it possible.

“We’re currently trying to raise the funds to support the travel of veterans and their dependants from HMS Sheffield D80 to the Falkland Islands to pay tribute to those lost during the sinking of the HMS Sheffield, of which the 35th anniversary comes next summer.

“We’re organising various events over the coming weeks, and we’ll be taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in June.”

Dave McCarthy, Operations Director at Sheffield United, said: “ It was great to be able to support this brilliant cause in such a unique way.

“That’s what this Club is all about - community - and that’s why it was a no-brainer when John initially approached us about staging an event at Bramall Lane.”