Sheffield FC: World's oldest football club makes new ownership announcement
Sheffield FC, the world’s oldest football club, has made a major ownership announcement.
The club, founded in 1857 and globally recognised as the world’s oldest football club, has announced what it describes as a new ownership structure and long-term stewardship strategy.
The club has issued an outline of the club’s new leadership structure today, which confirms Reverend and the Makers singer and musician Jon McClure, as chairman.
It has also revealed that leading music executive David Bianchi is part of a consortium which is taking the club over.
As one of only two clubs alongside Real Madrid to receive the FIFA Order of Merit, Sheffield FC’s new ownership is this afternoon outlining its plans to preserve the historic significance as the world’s first football club while establishing sustainable foundations for future growth, rooted in Sheffield and framed with international ambition.
Sheffield FC previously outlined plans for a new stadium and museum at the former Sheffield Transport Club, at Meadowhead, as part of a planning application two years ago, but it was hit by problems including opposition from locals, and concerns from Sport England over the loss of cricket facilities.
That was expected to be financed by selling their current ground, which is in Dronfield, North Derbyshire.
The club currently play in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, the ninth level of the English football pyramid.
David Bianchi is the founder and head of Various Artists Management. He has represented the likes of Charli XCX and The Enemy, as well as The Libertines, Supergrass and TikTok breakout Ashnikko.
Jon McClure is the well-known singer from the Sheffield band Reverend and the Makers, most famous for their hit Heavyweight Champion of the World.