UK Stadiums: Sandygate, Sheffield, Hallam, Yorkshire
Sandygate (Sandygate Road) in an upmarket, western suburb of Sheffield in Yorkshire is the home ground of Hallam FC and Hallam Cricket Club. It is the oldest football club ground in the world and Hallam FC are the second oldest association football club in the world after Sheffield FC.
Club & Stadium History
Recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's oldest football ground, Sandygate in Sheffield has been in use since 1860. It hosted the first inter-club match between Hallam FC and Sheffield FC on Boxing Day 1860.
Today, it remains the home of Hallam FC, who compete in the eighth tier of English football and Hallam CC (cricket club). Thus Sandygate hosts the the world's oldest football derby - Sheffield FC v Hallam FC. The derby was first played on Boxing Day 1860 under the original "gentleman's rules" and is a celebration of football's true and original values of Integrity, Respect & Community.
The club has its roots in the older Hallam CC when the owner of the now demolished Plough Inn pub on Sandygate Road allowed his field to be used for cricket matches in 1804.
Hallam FC won the world's first ever football tournament, the Youdan Cup, in 1867.
Presently Hallam compete in the Northern Premier League Division One East. They play in blue shirts and blue shorts.
Capacity & Stands
The ground has a capacity of around 1,350 with seating for 275 people in the main stand along one side of the pitch. The other side of the ground near the cricket field is not open to spectators.
Behind the goal near the main Sandygate Road entrance is the covered Shed End and behind the goal at the bottom of the slope is the Cricket Net End (yes, you guessed it, next to the cricket net).
The playing surface is natural grass with a pronounced slope from north to south. The ground has pylon-style floodlights added in the 1990s.
Excellent food and drink is also available at the ground in the clubhouse and from various catering stands. Friendly and efficient service guaranteed.
Other football grounds in Sheffield include Sheffield United's Bramall Lane and Hillsborough - home of rivals Sheffield Wednesday. Sheffield FC play at the Home of Football Stadium south of the city.
Access - Getting There
The ground is a 20-minute bus journey from the West Street/Carver Street stop in Sheffield. Take a number 51 bus operated by First South Yorkshire. There are buses to West Street/Carver Street from Sheffield Station or it is a 20-minute walk. Alternatively take a Sheffield Supertram to the Cathedral and pick up the 51 on Arundel Street.
Sheffield Station is a combined railway station and tram stop. It is the main point of access for visitors to this historic steel-manufacturing city.
There are trains to Huddersfield Station, Leeds, York Station in York, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow Central & Aberdeen.
The station also has connections to Manchester Piccadilly in Manchester via New Mills Central, London St Pancras, Derby, Norwich and Nottingham as well as Birmingham, Reading, Bristol, Plymouth and Penzance.
In addition, there are rail departures to Liverpool Lime Street in Liverpool via Stockport Station in Stockport and Manchester Piccadilly.
National Express buses depart from Sheffield Interchange at Pond Square, services depart from stands E1/E2.
Address: Sandygate Road, Sheffield S10 5SE, UK
Nearby Hotels
Some recommended places to stay in Sheffield include the four-star Novotel Sheffield Centre close to Sheffield Station and the Mercure Sheffield St Paul's Hotel & Spa. Not too far from the ground is the excellent Mercure Sheffield Kenwood Hall & Spa with a pool, fitness center and restaurant.
See here for a listing of accommodation in Sheffield to suit all budgets.
More UK Stadiums
Kirklees Stadium (John Smith's Stadium)
Gallery
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