sandygate – Page 4 – Crosspool News

30 Dec, 2011

Reopening event for Sandygate refurbishment

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

26 Dec, 2011

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

25 Jun, 201127 Jun, 2011

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

2 Jun, 20115 Jun, 2012

Hallam Chase tradition continues in Crosspool

Crosspool was once again the focus for the historic Hallam Chase running event this week.

The Hallam Chase is organised by Hallamshire Harriers and hosted by the Hallam Cricket Club. It has been running since 1862.

This year, 48 runners set off to cover the gruelling 3¼ mile route with 800′ of climb on a bright and dry Tuesday night. Dropping from Sandygate, down the infamous Den Bank, it crosses the Rivelin Valley then climbs to Stannington church before returning by the same route.

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.

Next year’s event will be Tuesday 5 June at 8pm, which is also the weekend of the queen’s diamond jubilee. Spectators are welcome.

3 May, 20115 May, 2011

Local elections and AV vote in Crosspool this Thursday

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

2 May, 20112 May, 2011

Sheffield victorious at historic anniversary match

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.

Hallam FC v Sheffield FC 150th anniversary match programme

Hallam FC v Sheffield FC 150th anniversary match

25 Apr, 2011

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:

www.theoldestfootballgroundintheworld.com
The Plough, Sandygate Road
The Coach & Horses, Sheffield Road, Dronfield

: Have you got your tickets for the rearranged Boxing day match on Bank holiday Monday?

17 Apr, 2011

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

6 Apr, 2011

Improving Hallam involved in pulsating 5-5 draw

Hallam FC were involved in an exciting 5-5 draw at Winterton Rangers on Saturday.

The Countrymen were 5-3 up at half time but conceded two second half goals to allow Winterton to pull level.

Saturday’s match follows a 2-2 a draw with Thackley on Tuesday 29 March, meaning Hallam are now on a three-match unbeaten run. They take on Farsley AFC at Sandygate tomorrow (Thursday), kick off 7:45pm.

Official Hallam FC website

NCEL results, fixtures and tables

29 Mar, 2011

2-1 win sees Hallam climb off the bottom of the table

Crosspool football club Hallam FC hauled itself off the foot of the Northern Counties East League Premier division following a 2-1 derby win over Maltby Main at Sandygate on Saturday.

First half goals from Aaron Moxon and Gavin Hunter gave the Countrymen a 2-0 lead, before Greg Mason pulled a goal back for Maltby via a penalty in the 78th minute.

The three points lifts Hallam to 19th in the table, six points behind Arnold Town but the Countrymen have three games in hand.

The next match at Sandygate is Hallam v Thackley tonight, kick off 7:45pm.

Official Hallam FC website

NCEL results, fixtures and tables