Sheffield FC founded in 1857 is officially recognized by the FA and the FIFA as the oldest footballing club in the world. It was founded by two Yorkshiremen, who were also the first to lay do a set of rules that are still in common practice today. The club was also instrumental in the founding of the Football Association.
Now the club wants to move back to its original home at Olive Ground which it left five years after its formation. Sheffield is planning to build a small stadium and a museum at Olive Ground and that is why they have started a fundraiser. They have approached fellow clubs to donate to the cause by paying a sum which is equivalent to the year in which they were founded.
And Chelsea Football Club have heard this plea and have given £1905 to the cause.
Chris Townsend OBE, commercial director of Chelsea FC said: ‘When we learnt of Sheffield FC’s desire to return to their original home and the imaginative way they wanted Premier League clubs to contribute to their crowdfunding, we were very happy to donate the sum equivalent to Chelsea FC’s founding year.
‘The history is fascinating and this is a grassroots project that will allow schoolchildren from around the world to learn about the origins of football, and it will also benefit Sheffield’s Ladies side and junior players.
‘Chelsea looks forward to our Ladies and youth teams having the opportunity to play at Olive Grove in the future.’
