Jump directly to the content
Feature
BIRTHDAY BASH

The world’s oldest football club Sheffield FC turns 160 today… and here’s what it looked like back then compared to now

SHEFFIELD FC, the world's oldest football club, are celebrating turning 160 today.

The first team compete in the Northern Premier League Division One South, having being formed on October 24, 1857.

 These are the founding members of the world's oldest football club, Sheffield FC
17
These are the founding members of the world's oldest football club, Sheffield FC
 Nathaniel Creswick, was one of the founders of Sheffield F.C. in 1857
17
Nathaniel Creswick, was one of the founders of Sheffield F.C. in 1857
 The club's proud tradition is very much still relevant today at their ground in Dronfield
17
The club's proud tradition is very much still relevant today at their ground in DronfieldCredit: Rex Features

Their honours are restricted to an FA Amateur Cup success in 1904, while they also finished as runners-up in the 1977 FA Vase.

Sheffield Cricket Club organised an informal football match in 1855 without any rules and two of its members, Nathaniel Creswick and William Priest, subsequently formed the club.

The setting for the meeting was a greenhouse on the East Bank Road, and the first matches were ‘Married vs Singles’ among the members themselves.

Creswick and Priest designed the ‘Sheffield Rules’, which were the first official set of regulations for the game of football, dating all the way back to the oldest-ever recorded ‘mob football’ contest in 1794.

 This hardy bunch comprised the 1876 line-up for Sheffield FC
17
This hardy bunch comprised the 1876 line-up for Sheffield FCCredit: Twitter / @Sheffieldfc
 The game was soon developing but Sheffield FC, pictured here in 1893, had got things started
17
The game was soon developing but Sheffield FC, pictured here in 1893, had got things startedCredit: Twitter / @Sheffieldfc
 This was the Sheffield FC line-up in 1900, the pioneers of football as we know it
17
 This was the Sheffield FC line-up in 1900, the pioneers of football as we know itCredit: Twitter / @Sheffieldfc
 By 1904, football clubs began sprouting up all over the country, and the world
17
By 1904, football clubs began sprouting up all over the country, and the worldCredit: Twitter / @Sheffieldfc
 This was the Sheffield FC side in 1911 - today the club celebrates its 160th birthday
17
This was the Sheffield FC side in 1911 - today the club celebrates its 160th birthdayCredit: Twitter / @Sheffieldfc
 By 1957 Sheffield FC had been playing for longer than many clubs even now have been in existence
17
By 1957 Sheffield FC had been playing for longer than many clubs even now have been in existenceCredit: Twitter / @Sheffieldfc

At the time of Sheffield F.C.’s, there were different variations of the game in place and no official set of laws.

Here, we take a look at some memorable photos through the ages that make the club so unique.


LUCKY ESCAPE Brazilian star Jefferson has Range Rover CARJACKED by armed gang on the way to training


 People couldn't understand why grown men were leaping and trying to head a ball made of leather through two sticks
17
People couldn't understand why grown men were leaping and trying to head a ball made of leather through two sticksCredit: Sheffield FC
 But the club continued to push for a full introduction of the game of 'football' - and they soon got their wish
17
But the club continued to push for a full introduction of the game of 'football' - and they soon got their wishCredit: Sheffield FC
 The South Yorkshire club was founded in 1857 and played a key role in providing the rules of modern football
17
The South Yorkshire club was founded in 1857 and played a key role in providing the rules of modern footballCredit: Sheffield FC
 Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan paid his own tribute to Sheffield FC today on social media
17
Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan paid his own tribute to Sheffield FC today on social mediaCredit: Instagram @ilkayguendogan
 The club are proud to call themselves the 'home of football' but haven't hit the heights they would expect
17
The club are proud to call themselves the 'home of football' but haven't hit the heights they would expectCredit: Rex Features
 It is quite possible the Sheffield FC club shop hasn't changed too much over the years...
17
It is quite possible the Sheffield FC club shop hasn't changed too much over the years...Credit: Rex Features
 And in keeping with their ancient history, touches around the club are from an early era for sure
17
And in keeping with their ancient history, touches around the club are from an early era for sureCredit: Rex Features
 The first team compete in the Northern Premier League, were formed on October 24, 1857
17
The first team compete in the Northern Premier League, were formed on October 24, 1857Credit: Rex Features
Celtic win the FIFA Fan Award at the Football Awards 2017