OLD CLUB v OLD GROUND x 157

It was the annual match between the oldest football club in the World (Sheffield FC) and the club that plays on the oldest "official" pitch in the world (Hallam FC). The oldest Derby. The Alan Cooper Trophy looks a bit like a bar stool, is made from silver and it is played for annually as a pre-season by these two historic clubs. The Derby was held at Sheffield FC this year, a good crowd turned out in sunny weather and the home side were the better by far, winning 5-1.

Looking at the programme there were a load of players from both sides who have done the rounds locally; Matlock town, Goole AFC, Shaw Lane, Harrogate, the list goes on. A few had spent their time at proper clubs; Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United, Chesterfield and the like but many had done the Non-League circuit.

I got through the turnstile, avoiding the nearby Coach and Horses pub. I remembered to ask for a concession and got my precious programme. Then I headed for the Directors' Clubroom where I was determined to talk to a home club official about the use of the Charterhouse 1st XI photo from around 1863 on their club's website....on the front page... It showed school 1st XI captain, BF Hartshorne and Co at the old Charterhouse in London, by the Cloisters, where they played their casual football games!
http://www.sheffieldfc.com/stadium  see this link to view the Charterhouse 1st XI

Surely the oldest club in the world must have photos of their own past teams? Apparently not, according to the very nice committee member, who allowed me into the hallowed clubroom, where the Alan Cooper trophy was kept. Alan was a Hallam FC member who died prematurely. I enjoyed signing their global visitors book, but not offered a cuppa or a sausage roll. Fair enough.

The match went on, the home team were better with two dribbling wide players who made the difference, something that would have pleased the Charterhouse dribbling footballers from the 19th century. Ben Algar, a left sided player and James Gregory were memorising.

So the 157th Derby was first played on the Hallam cricket ground on 26th December 1860. It goes on from strength to strength and both clubs are in fine fettle. Sheffield play in the Evostick NPL Division One South a higher tier than Hallam who partake in the Northern Counties East Division One.

It was an hospitable visit to Coach and Horses Stadium, much was good about the place although the home coaches' team could take a few lessons from the Victorian gentlemen who would not have used such Anglo-Saxon expletives and shown such little respect for the officials! So much for Respect! But as we were constantly reminded, "it is a man's game".