Boxing day match postponed

This was issued by Hallam FC this morning:

Following a pitch inspection at 10.00 am this morning (23rd December 2010), it is with great regret that the Boxing Day 150th Anniversary Match between Hallam FC & Sheffield FC at The Worlds Oldest Football Ground, Sandygate Road, Sheffield has had to be postponed due to a frozen pitch.

Good news

A date for the match to be played has been pencilled in for Good Friday the 22nd of April 2011 – which will round off Hallam FCs 150th Season.

ALL TICKETS PURCHASED FOR BOXING DAY WILL BE VALID FOR THE RE-ARRANGED DATE and we will keep you informed on confirmation of the fixture date as soon as we have approval from both Leagues.

Despite the huge disappointment of not being able to add this historic spectacle to your festive season Hallam FC would like to wish you and yours all the best for Christmas and The New Year and look forward to seeing you in April.

Kind Regards
Hallam Football Club

www.theoldestfootballgroundintheworld.com

Boxing day match latest

Hallam FC have issued an update about Sunday’s big match against Sheffield FC:

  • Tickets are still available to purchase in person from the Plough pub on Sandygate Road
  • If you have already ordered tickets online, the final date that they were posted out was 20 December. Any ordered via the internet after this date will be available for collection at the ground on the day
  • With supporters travelling from around the UK and abroad, a pitch inspection is planned for tomorrow (Thursday 23 December) to assess the impact of the current cold spell. Following this an update will be issued regarding the likelihood of the match taking place, as the club very much hopes it will. There will also be a pitch inspection on the day of the match
  • A commemorative programme and limited edition Badges (numbered 1- 150) will also be on sale on the day

We’ll pass on any news as soon as we get it after tomorrow’s pitch inspection.

Sandygate visitors centre on track following six-figure Hallam FC donation

A £280,000 visitors centre is likely to be built in 2011 at Sandygate after a loyal fan left Hallam football club an unexpected donation in his will.

Long-term supporter Roger Bell followed the Countrymen home and away but never told anyone at the Crosspool club his plans to leave them a financial gift when he passed away.

The money will be used to fund ground improvements, including a visitors centre and new clubhouse.

Fan leaves fortune to non-leaguers (Sheffield Star report)

Sandygate
Sandygate: the money left to the club will help fund a visitors centre and new clubhouse

Boxing day football match: parking offered

A local youth sports trust has offered its car park for the Boxing day match between Hallam FC and Sheffield FC in Crosspool.

The trustees of Crosspool & District Youth Sports Trust (CDYST) have agreed that the CDYST car park on Coldwell Lane can be used by fans attending the 150th anniversary Boxing day match at Sandygate.

On Boxing day 1860, Hallam FC played Sheffield FC in the world’s first inter-club football match. The 2010 rematch at Sandygate marks the 150th anniversary of this historical game.

Buy tickets online from theoldestfootballgroundintheworld.com

Meanwhile, Hallam earned deserved point against Dinnington on Tuesday 23 November to put a stop to their run of seven straight defeats in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division. The match finished 1-1, with Neil Longhurst equalising for the Countrymen in the 64th minute.

Two matches since then have been postponed due to the weather, with the game against Liversedge rearranged for Tuesday 18 January. The Countrymen’s next outing is away at Tadcaster Albion this Tuesday night (14 December), kick off 7:45pm.

Official Hallam FC website

NCEL results, fixtures and tables

Big week starts with defeat for Countrymen

Despite taking a first half lead through Martin Brissett, Hallam FC’s week of three home games began on Saturday with a 4-1 defeat to Lincoln Moorlands Railway.

The Countrymen’s next outing is the derby match against Dinnington Town tonight at Sandygate, who are just two places above them in the league.

As the Crosspool club’s Twitter account mentions, Sandygate is the place to be to see lots of goals: there have been 25 in their last five home games. Unfortunately, only three have been for Hallam!

Official Hallam FC website

NCEL results, fixtures and tables

Hallam FC in action against Lincoln Moorlands Railway at Sandygate (photo: Ritchie Woods)
Hallam FC in action against Long Eaton United at Sandygate (photo: Ritchie Woods)

Hallam hit rock bottom

Hallam find themselves propping up the Northern Counties East League Premier Division after a 2-0 defeat to Long Eaton United at Sandygate on Saturday.

The loss leaves the Countrymen with just 8 points from 14 league outings. They are level on points with Liversedge but have an inferior goal difference.

Hallam’s next match is against Lincoln Moorlands Railway on Saturday at Sandygate.

Official Hallam FC website

NCEL results, fixtures and tables

Countrymen lose to Winterton

Hallam’s run without a win extended to six matches on Saturday after a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Winterton Rangers at Sandygate.

The loss follows the previous weekend’s 2-0 reverse at Maltby Main and leaves the Countrymen second from bottom of the Northern Counties East League Premier division.

Tomorrow night they take a break from league action and visit Staveley in the Sheffield and Hallamshire Senior Cup.

Official Hallam FC website

NCEL results and fixtures

Sandygate, home of Hallam FC
Hallam went down to Winterton Rangers at Sandygate

Hallam FC v Sheffield FC 150th anniversary boxing day match

23 December update: the match has been postponed

The oldest football ground in the world in Crosspool is to host a Boxing day rematch between the world’s two oldest football clubs.

On Boxing day 1860, Hallam FC played Sheffield FC in the world’s first inter-club football match. The 2010 rematch at Sandygate marks the 150th anniversary of this historical game.

The day will include refreshments plus pre-match and half-time entertainment. And of course the Plough pub is just over the road from the ground.

Tickets are on sale now and are limited to Sandygate’s capacity of about 1,000. Standing is £10/£7 concessions, seating is £15/£12 concessions.

Buy tickets online from theoldestfootballgroundintheworld.com

As part of the 150th anniversary celebrations, an England C team will also play a Hallam XI at Sandygate on Tuesday 19 October.

Sandygate, the oldest football ground in the world
Sandygate, the oldest football ground in the world