THE world’s oldest football stadium isn’t home to one of the nation’s biggest clubs, but rather a side playing in the ninth tier of the English game.
Hallam FC, officially the second oldest football club in the world, have been playing their home games at the same ground since 1860!
AlamySandygate Road is the oldest football ground in the world[/caption]
AlamyThe ground has been home to Hallam FC since 1860[/caption]
AlamyHallam are the second oldest club in the world[/caption]
AlamyThe ground is still fitted with wood trimmings and a plaque to show the history of the stadium[/caption]
AlamyA sign on the exit of the ground reminds fans of the history too[/caption]
Their home, Sandygate Road, boasts the title of the oldest football stadium around.
Located in Sheffield, the first game played at the ground was on Boxing Day 1960.
The clash pitted Hallam against neighbours Sheffield FC – the oldest club in the world.
It’s believed that that match was the first inter-club football game ever played.
While the stadium itself was actually built another 56 years before that match took place – in 1804.
It remains in use with Hallam currently using the pitch to play out their Northern Counties East League Premier Division games.
The stadium can hold 1,300 fans on a matchday, with seating available for just 250 of those fans.
But those keen on heading to watch the second oldest club play in the oldest stadium won’t have to fork out Premier League prices, with a matchday ticket at Hallam costing just £6 for an adult.
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Fans visiting the ground now will find it looking pretty similar to how it did back in the day, but with an abundance of historic plaques and signs showing the historical significance of the stadium.
While there has also been the sad demolition of The Plough Inn pub from across the way.
The old pub was thought to be the location where the modern rules of football were agreed back in the 1800s.
However, despite much campaigning from locals, the pub was torn down in 2023.
Hallam FC are currently seventh in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division.
But still harbour hopes of climbing up the divisions to reach the level that would better represent the history behind the club and their ground.
For now, they proudly keep a replica of the Youdan Cup – a competition pre-dating the FA Cup – that they won in 1867 inside their trophy cabinet to remind them of the club’s roots.
AlamyHallam keep a replica of the Youdan Cup trophy won they in 1867[/caption]
AlamySeats allow for 250 fans in the stadium[/caption]
AlamyAround 1,300 spectators can watch at the ground[/caption]
AlamyThe ground is believed to have been built in 1804, 56 years before Hallam was founded[/caption]
AlamyThe clubhouse looks no different to other clubs in the ninth tier of football[/caption]
AlamyA view from 1991 shows how the round has changed in 33 years[/caption]
Crosthwaite CommercialThe Plough Inn, which used to sit across from Sandygate, is thought to be where the modern rules of football were agreed[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
