Sheffield FC urges businesses to join '˜1857 Club' and help fund relocation

The world's first football club has asked South Yorkshire businesses to help it move back to its original home.
Sheffield FC chairman Richard Tims with Henry Boot PLC group general counsel and company secretary Russell Deards. The firm is the first to sign up to the "1857 Club" which aims to raise money for the football club to move back to its original ground.Sheffield FC chairman Richard Tims with Henry Boot PLC group general counsel and company secretary Russell Deards. The firm is the first to sign up to the "1857 Club" which aims to raise money for the football club to move back to its original ground.
Sheffield FC chairman Richard Tims with Henry Boot PLC group general counsel and company secretary Russell Deards. The firm is the first to sign up to the "1857 Club" which aims to raise money for the football club to move back to its original ground.

Sheffield FC is trying to relocate to Olive Grove sports ground, off Queen’s Road, where its founders developed the first set of rules and played their first games of football in 1857.

The ‘Home of Football’ relocation campaign began last year, but the club needs investment to fund the move, and has urged 100 businesses to make a contribution through the ‘1857 Club’.

Richard Tims, Sheffield FC, at Olive GroveRichard Tims, Sheffield FC, at Olive Grove
Richard Tims, Sheffield FC, at Olive Grove

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The first to sign up and pledge £1,857 was Henry Boot PLC, parent company of the Sheffield-based Henry Boot group, which covers land development, property investment and development, construction and plant hire.

The firm’s group general counsel and company secretary Russell Deards said: “The project will not only help Sheffield FC achieve its goal of moving back home but will also help to raise awareness of the club and help put Sheffield FC back on the map.

Sheffield FC's original home at Olive Grove Sports Ground in SheffieldSheffield FC's original home at Olive Grove Sports Ground in Sheffield
Sheffield FC's original home at Olive Grove Sports Ground in Sheffield

“Supporting grass roots football should help to ensure the game continues to survive and provide valuable access to sport in the community.

“We hope our involvement can encourage other local businesses to make a contribution to the Sheffield FC ‘Home of Football’ project. Let’s help keep Sheffield’s heritage alive by making a donation which will not just benefit a football club, but a whole city.”

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Sheffield FC chairman Richard Tims said he was proud to partner with a business ‘steeped in heritage, adding: “Olive Grove is the place where football as the world knows it was born. We devised a set of rules which was later used by the FA and included the first corner kick, the first free kick, the first crossbar and the first throw-in.”