Crosspool News – crosspool.info
The Crosspool community website run by Crosspool Forum
Hallam FC chaplain Reverend Peter Allan is to host an evening of Christmas carols, mulled wine and mince pies at Sandygate, the oldest football ground in the world.
From 7pm on Thursday 20 December Peter will lead a choir and guests through some best-loved carols around the tree in the 1860 Suite.
All the family are welcome and the bar will stay open afterwards.
Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg answered Crosspool residents’ concerns at a constituency question-and-answer session on Friday.
Over the course of an hour in Hallam FC’s Sandygate clubhouse, the Sheffield Hallam MP responded to queries regarding the economy, jobs, the High Speed 2 rail link, the Leveson inquiry and the PFI project to renew and maintain Sheffield’s roads.
Questions were also asked about specific Crosspool issues. After describing their experience of travelling on the 51 bus route, one resident asked: What are the government’s plans to encourage provincial commuters to move back to using public transport? Watch the video below to hear Nick Clegg’s response:
He also responded to queries regarding the government’s policy on catchment area placements being within walking distance of local schools. Listen to his answer below (audio only):
The subject of the lack of bus shelter at the Vernon Terrace bus stop was also raised. Although local councillors are continuing to look into this, the deputy prime minister promised to also take it up.
Local residents had been invited to the Q&A via a leaflet through their letter box.
You can email our MP with your query using nickclegg@sheffieldhallam.org.uk.
Premier League champions Manchester City will send an under-18 team to Sandygate on Monday 16 July as part of Hallam FC’s pre-season preparation.
The Countrymen are also due to play Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday 24 July and Sheffield United on Monday 30 July. For these types of fixture, the Owls and the Blades often send a team of youngsters or reserves.
At a Sandygate pre-season fixture in August 2011, Hallam edged out a young Sheffield Wednesday team 3-2.
Sandygate games in bold. Check with Hallam FC for confirmed details before you set off.
Tuesday 3 July Worksop Parramore (a) 7.45pm
Monday 16 July Manchester City (h) 7.45pm
Tuesday 24 July Sheffield Wednesday (h) 7.45pm
Saturday 28 July Harborough Town (a) 1pm
Monday 30 July Sheffield United (h) 7.45pm (provisional)
All eyes are on Crosspool tonight for the 2012 Hallam Chase.
At 8pm, runners will set off from Hallam Football/Cricket Club’s Sandygate ground, go down Den Bank through the Rivelin Valley and up to Stannington church, before returning by the same route. The run 3¼ miles long, with 800 feet of climb.
The Hallam Chase is an annual event organised by Hallamshire Harriers and hosted by the Hallam Cricket Club. Race records go back to 1862. It is open to male and female runners who are a member of a south Yorkshire running club. There is limited entry on the day (subject to places being available) – although you won’t be eligible for prizes.
Last year, 48 runners set off to cover the gruelling route on a bright and dry Tuesday night. First to the church was Dark Peak’s Brian Greaves, but he was eventually overhauled by Handsworth Road Hog’s Dean Drabble who won the handicapped event.
A close battle then ensued between two of the city’s best distance runners, Hallamshire Harriers’ pair Rob Baker and Andy Thake. In the end Andy just held on to take the fastest man title in an impressive 22 minutes 7 seconds. Dark Peak Fell Runner Nicky Spinks won both the ladies handicap and fastest female title in a time of 28 minutes 49 seconds.
The refurbishment of Hallam FC’s ground in Crosspool will be celebrated next year with an event on 13 April.
Sandygate, officially recognised as the oldest football ground in the world, has been improved with refurbished clubhouse and dressing rooms, the relaying of paths inside the ground, new barriers and work to the pitch.
Speaking on Radio Sheffield this morning, chairman David Slater said: “We think we’ve got the best ground in the Northern Counties League. There are some wonderful places that have had Football Foundation grant aid but we’re very proud of what we’ve done and match up to anybody. People come all over the world to see us. We have to keep that ground spick and span and it is now.”
The work was paid for by an unexpected donation in his will by long term Countrymen fan Roger Bell.
Special guests will oversee the official opening at 1pm on Friday, 13 April.
Hallam FC take on Yorkshire Amateur at Sandygate this afternoon, in a reminder of a boxing day tradition that goes back over 150 years.
Today’s Guardian newspaper reports how we have we have Hallam FC and Sheffield FC to thank for boxing day sport:
On Boxing Day 1860 at Sandygate Road, the world’s oldest and second oldest clubs played the first ever inter-club match, a 2-0 victory for Sheffield, the senior side, who prevailed despite fielding fewer men.
Kick off this afternoon is at 3pm.
Hallam FC have started the new season in the Baris Northern Counties East Football League Division One, following relegation in May.
They kicked off with a 1-0 defeat at local rivals Handsworth and then last night lost 2-0 to Hemsworth Miners Welfare.
The Countrymen’s first match at Sandygate isn’t until 20 September when they host Appleby Frodingham in the Wilkinson Sword Trophy first round. They then play Appleby again on 1 October in the league.
Earlier this month, The Star reported that Hallam chairman and former premiership referee Uriah Rennie has been trying to keep the peace behind the scenes where there has been a rumpus over voting rights and money.
For the second year running, Sheffield Wednesday have included a trip to Sandygate in their pre-season schedule.
A ‘Wednesday XI’ team will take on Hallam FC on Wednesday 27 July, kick off 7:45pm. This means that it is unlikely to be the full Wednesday first team playing – they are also playing at Barnsley the night before.
Adult tickets are £5, Junior and OAP tickets are £3.
In 2010 a strong Wednesday first team saw off the Countrymen 9-0.
Sheffield Wednesday pre-season fixtures 2011 and ticket information
The new edition of the Crosspool Clarion is going to press and will soon be falling on the doormats of all Crosspool households.
The latest issue includes:
Download Crosspool Clarion Summer 2011 (PDF, 1.5MB)
Some back issues of past editions of the Crosspool Clarion are also available to download.
The Crosspool Clarion is the official newsletter of Crospool Forum. It is a free, quarterly publication, with over 2,500 copies delivered to local households.
If you are a local business then you may wish to consider advertising in the Clarion. It is a great way to reach over local households. Contact Clarion editor Ian Hague for more information.
To read PDFs on your computer, you may need to first download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.
A large Sandygate crowd watched Sheffield FC beat Hallam FC 2-1 at the historic 150th anniversary match this afternoon.
The Plough pub was busy beforehand and the bank holiday atmosphere continued in the Crosspool sunshine as the game got underway at the oldest football ground in the world.
The match was goalless at half time, before the Countrymen took the lead midway through the second half. Sheffield FC then equalised and scored a late goal to win 2-1.
Photos from the day are below as a slide show and gallery.
Today’s game follows Hallam’s 2-1 defeat to Arnold Town on Tuesday night. This result means that the Countrymen finish second from bottom in the Northern Counties East League premier division, in one of the two relegation places.
Crosspool News - crosspool.info 