Sheffield FC: History of the world's oldest football club praised by Pele as it celebrates its 166th birthday

Forget Wrexham with its Hollywood owners and Netflix documentary, if you're looking for true football history then it's Sheffield you're after.

Sheffield FC, which is the cradle of the beautiful game, is celebrating its 166th birthday today, October 24, 2023.

It was on that date in 1857 that the inaugural meeting of the world's oldest football club took place at Parkfield House in the Sheffield suburb of Highfield.

Where did Sheffield FC play when the world's oldest football club was first formed?

Its original headquarters was a greenhouse on East Bank Road, with the adjacent field used as the club's first playing ground and the first games played among club members, with teams made up of 'Married v Singles' or 'Professionals v The Rest'.

It was not until 1860 that Hallam FC, the world's second oldest club, were formed and the world's oldest derby, which is still contested today, was first played.

Five years later, Sheffield FC played their first game outside of their home city, taking on Nottingham at the Meadows Cricket Ground in a game the visitors won 1-0.

Sheffield FC founding members Nathaniel Creswick and William Prest drew up the club's first rules of play, written up in 1858 and published the following year.

They would become known as the Sheffield Rules, which introduced many innovations which are still part of the game today, like corner kicks and throw-ins.

What did Pele say about Sheffield FC when he visited?

The late, great Pele and famously said of the club: "Without Sheffield FC there wouldn't be a me."

Sheffield FC recently got fans in a flutter by announcing Gareth Bale had signed for them, only to reveal it was a shirt he had signed, sadly, and not a contract.

A charity called Sheffield Home of football was recently launched to raise the funds for a new heritage centre telling the story of the sport's origins in the city.

What next for Sheffield FC?

Sheffield FC may play their home games in Dronfield today, just outside their native city, but they remain very much part of Sheffield's proud footballing heritage and are looking to return home to a new 4,000 seater stadium at Meadowhead.

They marked their latest milestone by tweeting: "Happy Birthday Football".

Top of their birthday wishlist is of course that long-awaited move back to Sheffield, where a visitor centre celebrating the club's history is planned.