Local Sport
Issue 1103
Call 0114 283 1100
5th March 2020
www.looklocal.org.uk
19
Sheffield lines up to re-claim the ‘beautiful game’ it gave to the world MANY would cite it as one of the most important documents ever to be unveiled at Sheffield Town Hall. In fact the city is hoping the 180 pages launched on Wednesday March 4 will be the catalyst to claw back more than 160 years of lost history and make the ‘Made in Sheffield’ brand as synonymous with the world’s most popular spectator sport as it is with steel. Sheffield – 163 years after the world’s oldest football club was formed within its boundaries – is lining up to ensure the world never forgets its place as the global home of the beautiful game. As far as sporting legacies go, the city’s footballing credentials are beyond reproach. It boasts amongst other things the world’s oldest team, first ground, first trophy, first derby, first floodlit game – even many of the rules of the modern game were first used Sheffield. The city is hoping the unveiling of the ‘Sheffield Home of Football Document’ will start to build on the early successes of Sheffield Home of Football Ltd, the not-for-profile or-
ganisation behind the strategy which comprises representatives from Sheffield University, Sheffield Council, Sheffield Libraries and Archives and the author of a history of early Sheffield football.
Home of Football’; sculptures in key areas like outside the Midland Station celebrating contributions to the beautiful game and the launch of a Football Archive There is also an advisory body Centre. that includes Sheffield FC, Hallam FC, SWFC, SUFC, Shef- The group launched field and Hallamshire County the popular Football FA, Football Unites Racism Heritage walking app Divides, Sporting Memories in 2018 and BBC’s and various historians. Dan Walker – who wrote the foreword Councillor Anne Murphy, for the strategy and chair of the group, said: is also a patron of the “Football is far more than group – unveiled the just a game. That’s why it’s of paramount importance we develop our unique position as its home. The sport builds communities; encourages social cohesion; boosts health and well-being and is a major contributor to the economy. We want to use our heritage to make Sheffield a more attractive place to live, work, visit, invest and play.”
Football Treasures Day at Sheffield Library in 2018 that was attended by over 2,000 people. It was curated by renowned football historian Martin Westby. The same year the group installed a commemorative plaque at the grave Nathaniel Creswick – the founder of the world’s oldest football club, Sheffield FC.
Highlights of the far-reaching strategy – which has been written by Sheffield University’s Dr John P Wilson and two MBA students – include proposals for goalpost-style signage over the M1 motorway on the border of the city hailing ‘Welcome to Sheffield
GREAT DANES TO CLASH IN SEASON OPENER DANISH greats Nicki Pedersen and Bjarne Pedersen will lock horns in a mouthwatering showdown in Sheffield Speedway’s opening meeting of the season next month.
Both riders – who are not brothers – started their UK career with Newcastle and will appear at the Independent Forgings and Alloys Northern Riders’ Championship at Owlerton on Thursday March 26.
mark and it will be good to have them racing at Sheffield.
“All the 2020 Sheffield team will be in the meeting and it’s a great way for the club to open our season.” Talented Danish teenager Andreas Jensen, 18, is also included in the field alongside Ryan Douglas, Aaron Summers (Berwick), Ricky Wells (Glasgow), Josh Auty (Scunthorpe) and Charles Wright (Belle Vue and Redcar).
event and the season in general, which sees Sheffield return to the top flight of British racing, are available and the club email address office@ sheffield-speedway. com can take details. Air fence banners, heat sponsorship, programme advertising and much more remain available. Sheffield racer Todd Kurtz stages his testimonial at Owlerton with a host of star names on Thursday March 19.
Nicki, a triple World Champion, has been A variety of sponsorSheffield’s star sign- ship packages for the ing of the winter and ERNEST THORPE Bjarne, a veteran of 71 Grand Prix apHalifax Road, Thurgoland 0114 2882152 pearances, is set to make his last ever Owlerton appearance as he heads into retirement.
MOT’s £35.00
Tru Plant Tigers copromoter Damien Bates said: “Both Nicki and Bjarne are legends back in Den-
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