Hallam Chase 2012 in Crosspool

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.

Nick Spinks and Dean Drabble
Nick Spinks and Dean Drabble

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.

Reopening event for Sandygate refurbishment

Sandygate, the oldest football ground in the world
Improvements have been made to Sandygate, the oldest football ground in the world

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

Boxing day fixture at Sandygate

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.

Sandygate
Sandygate: home of a boxing day tradition that goes back over 150 years

Hallam kick off 2011-12 season

The Countrymen return to Sandygate on 20 September
The Countrymen return to Sandygate on 20 September

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.

Hallam FC 2011-12 fixtures

Sheffield Wednesday team to play in Crosspool

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.

Hallam FC fixtures 2011

Sheffield Wednesday pre-season fixtures 2011 and ticket information

Sandygate
Sheffield Wednesday will visit Sandygate in July

Local elections and AV vote in Crosspool this Thursday

Stephen Hill church polling station in Crosspool
Stephen Hill church polling station in Crosspool

Local residents will be voting in the local council elections and Alternative Vote referendum on Thursday.

For the local elections Crosspool lies in the Crookes ward, where there are four candidates standing:

If any candidates read this, it would be great if they could comment below to sum up why Crosspool residents should vote for them.

The electorate will also be deciding whether to vote for or against a change from First Past The Post to the Alternative Vote polling system for future general elections.

Some residents will be moving polling station from Stephen Hill church on Benty Lane to Hallam FC’s ground on Sandygate Road.

Full details of where you should vote will be printed on your polling card. If you haven’t received your polling card by the election date you can still vote in person at your local polling station. You will need to take some form of ID with you.

Polling stations map

Sheffield local elections May 2011

Sheffield victorious at historic anniversary match

Hallam FC v Sheffield FC 150th anniversary match programme
Hallam FC v Sheffield FC 150th anniversary match programme

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.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Tickets still available for historic Bank holiday football match at Sandygate

On Bank holiday Monday 2 May, the oldest football ground in the world in Crosspool will host an anniversary match between between the world’s two oldest football clubs.

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

It was originally to be played on Boxing day 2010, but a frozen pitch caused the match to be postponed.

The game kicks off at 3pm and 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. All tickets purchased for Boxing Day will be valid for the rearranged date.

Tickets are still available for purchase from:

Sandygate, home of Hallam FC
Have you got your tickets for the rearranged Boxing day match on Bank holiday Monday?

Away win sets up Hallam relegation decider

League table
NCEL table: Hallam and Arnold are both on 27 points with one game remaining

A 2-1 victory at Liversage yesterday for Hallam FC has set up an end-of-season finale away at Arnold Town on Tuesday night to decide which club will be relegated.

Both teams are level on 27 points, but the Crosspool club go into the match needing a win to stay up due to their inferior goal difference.

One other team will join Dinnington Town in relegation to Northern Counties East League division one.

Official Hallam FC website

NCEL results, fixtures and tables

Tension mounts for Countrymen in relegation fight

A haul of six points from five games in nine days has left Hallam FC just three points behind Arnold Town and a position of safety.

The Countrymen picked up wins against Armthorpe Welfare at Sandygate and away at Lincoln Moorlands Railway, but suffered defeats to Farsley AFC, Tadcaster and Selby Town.

Hallam and Arnold each have three games left. They come head to head on the final match of the season, a game which could decide which team will join Dinnington Town in relegation to Division one.

Official Hallam FC website

NCEL results, fixtures and tables