On the 24th October 1857 the world's first football club, Sheffield F.C. was created. The two founding members, William Prest and Nathanial Crestwick, team-mates at the local cricket club, were looking to stay fit during the winter months and football proved the perfect pursuit. Arsenal was founded 15 years later in 1886, with Manchester United created in 1878.
Sheffield F.C. joined the Football Association in 1863, but remained an amateur side when the FA allowed professional football in 1885. They reached the F.A. Cup quarter finals in 1874, 1876 and 1878 and were Football Association Amateur Cup Winners 1904Â
Since 1999 Richard Tims has masterminded Sheffield Football Club’s revival, moving their home ground to the Coach and Horses Stadium in Dronfield. And in 2003 they founded a women’s team, something Man. Utd. only managed to make a priority this year!
In 2004, the club received the FIFA Order of Merit for their ‘historic importance and contribution’, an honour bestowed on only two clubs, with the other being Real Madrid. And in 2007, when the club celebrated their 150-year anniversary, Pele attended a non-league friendly against Inter-Milan.
They are currently playing in a non-league Senior Division with opponents like Cleethorpes Town and Ilkeston.
Many of the rules and innovations that the club implemented back in the 1800’s, including free kicks and corners, are still in use today.