Inspires: the beautiful game
Inspiring drama for 3.5 billion fans
You're welcome, Arsenal.
And we're sorry, Bournemouth.
The reliance on set pieces in the modern game is a hotly discussed topic amongst fans and media alike. As things stand, Arsenal are the team who have scored the most goals from corners in the last two seasons - in the whole of European football - and they have The Sheffield Rulebook of 1859 to thank. Meanwhile, Bournemouth, who have hit the crossbar most in the 24/25 Premier League season, can rue the same group of Sheffield rule makers who didn't make it 1 inch higher...
Without the origins to inspire the development of the sport, it might not be what it is. When you consider that the 'Sheffield Rules' inspired the modern game, while the World's first football club is still here, along with the world's oldest ground, with the world's oldest cup match, it's no overstatement to say that Sheffield inspires so much in 'the beautiful game'.
But alongside these dramatic aspects of the globalised, popular culture of football is also the importance of health and wellbeing, and hard economics on a global scale.
Image of goalkeeper from MyProfitTutor on Unsplash
The socio-economics of football began in Sheffield
A World Trade Organisation report from 2018 sets the scene:
Around 40 million people around the world play football regularly, with about 15 million matches played a year, and 4 billion worldwide watch the World Cup. In economic terms, $130 billion is the estimated GVA of the sport globally, making it equivalent to the 57th largest industry in the world.
The global rise in the sport is largely down to the creation of association football. This can be charted back to 1856/57 when Sheffield FC came into existence, and are officially the world's oldest surviving association club.
The growth in clubs ultimately led to the formation of a national association (The FA, in 1863), which then drove the professionalisation of the sport.
Competitions are also responsible for the popularity of the sport, and yet again Sheffield are to thank, having created the first ever known competitive 'cup' fixture with the creation of the Youdan Cup in 1867, which inspired the creation of the FA Cup in 1871.
So if you fancy witnessing heritage and history then head on over, because The Youdan Cup match is still played today.
Know your football history
Sir Nathaniel Creswick and William Prest are two names that every football fan should know.
As members of their local cricket club, they wanted something to do in the autumn and winter seasons. They devised 'married vs singles' and 'professionals vs the rest' games, which ultimately created the world's oldest association football club, in the form of Sheffield FC.
Back then there were no standard rules to the game - different cities, regions and areas of the country all had different ways of playing. These two pioneers created and wrote down their version of the rules, which included the ability to head the ball, take free kicks, incorporate wooden crossbars, and have corner kicks - as well as the ability to play under floodlights.
In 1878 there was the first amalgamation of rules with London, which saw the inclusion of these 'Sheffield rules' as part of national, standardised football regulations.
The Rulebook of 1859 was created, and on Boxing Day in 1860 the first inter-club match took place at the world's oldest purpose built football ground: Hallam FC's Sandygate ground.
Up until this point, football matches were all held at cricket grounds - which includes Sheffield United's Bramall Lane, which is still the oldest professional ground in the whole world, and used to be Sheffield Cricket Club's home.
The FIFA Order of Merit & Pelé
As a result of all this football history which continues to inspire the modern game, FIFA gave Sheffield FC the Order of Merit, making them one of only two clubs in the world (alongside Real Madrid) to have been given this special honour.
This led to the legendary Pelé to visit Sheffield and introduce a friendly between Sheffield FC and Inter Milan, and proudly state in 2007: "Without Sheffield FC, there wouldn't be a me."
image credit: Sheffield FC
Sheffield Home of Football: Walking Tour App
'Sheffield Home of Football' are a charity dedicated to preserving and furthering our city's unique inspiration and legacy in the modern game.
As well as drawing up plans for a football museum and achieving Lottery Heritage Funding, they have produced the Sheffield: Home of Football walking app. Completely free to download, the app will take you on a tour of 10 historic footballing hot spots around the city.
Enhanced with audio clips and map mash-ups showing Sheffield in the 1850s and today, you will be transported back to the Victorian era when the world’s first football club started.
The journey will cover the second half of the 19th century telling the stories of the first football derby, the world’s oldest Football Cup and the ancient football grounds where the games were played, many now long gone.
Sheffield football clubs & orgs
Sheffield United FC
Bramall Lane is the home of Sheffield United FC, nicknamed "the Blades" due to Sheffield's history of cutlery production.
The football club was established in 1889 at Bramall Lane, which holds the title of the Oldest Professional Football Ground in the World and was the first ground to ever play a floodlit match.
Playing in the Championship this 24/25 season, the Blades are on a strong bid for promotion back into the Premier League.
Sheffield Wednesday FC
Formed in 1867 as an offshoot of The Wednesday Cricket Club (itself formed in 1820), SWFC were actually known as The Wednesday Football Club until 1929.
Today, Wednesday is one of the oldest football clubs in the world, and the second-oldest professional association football club in England.
The Owls, as they are nicknamed, have played at their home stadium in Hillsborough since 1899, and are also in the Championship of the EFL for the 24/25 season.
Sheffield FC
Founded in October 1857, the club is recognised by FIFA as the oldest existing club still playing football in the world today. They've had a few club homes over the years, but nowadays, they play at the The Home of Football Stadium on the outskirts of the city, and are currently in the Northern Premier League Division One East.
You can see upcoming fixtures and buy tickets on the Sheffield FC website here, but it's also worth following their Instagram channel to see where they get to around the globe, and the hordes or avid football fans who come from around the world to see the first ever club play.
Hallam FC
While Sheffield FC may have pipped them to the oldest club title, Hallam FC can still boast the Worlds Oldest Football Ground, having played at their home on Sandygate Road, since 1860. They play in the Northern Counties East Football League, and in January 2025 hosted the oldest derby match, playing against Sheffield FC, and winning 2-1.
You can see upcoming fixtures on their website.
Sheffield & Hallamshire FA
The Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA is a non-profit organisation that is responsible for the administration, development and governance of grassroots football within a 20 mile radius of Sheffield Cathedral.
Formed in 1867, they are the second-oldest football governing body after the Football Association (FA).
They work in partnership with the FA to deliver the national game strategy across our county to ensure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful game.
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