Sheffield to relive 1966 World Cup glory

A pivotal moment in Sheffield's sporting history is brought back to life in a few weeks' time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the World Cup coming to the city .
A jubilant Rangers FC after winning the Youdan Trophy inaugural final at Bramall Lane in 2015A jubilant Rangers FC after winning the Youdan Trophy inaugural final at Bramall Lane in 2015
A jubilant Rangers FC after winning the Youdan Trophy inaugural final at Bramall Lane in 2015

The city staged four matches in the 1966 World Cup – three group games and a quarter final, all at Hillsborough.

England, of course, went on to win the Wembley final with Sheffield’s own Gordon Banks in goal.

West Germany v Switzerland at Hillsborough, July 12, 1966West Germany v Switzerland at Hillsborough, July 12, 1966
West Germany v Switzerland at Hillsborough, July 12, 1966
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The 50th anniversary of the city’s role in this historic championship is set to celebrated in Football’s Coming Home which is being unveiled on July 1.

The five-week exhibition will transform The Moor Market and celebrate life on the streets of the Steel City in the year that changed football history in England.

The event is part of city-wide countdown to the start of the 2016 Youdan Trophy - the new international Sheffield-based tournament that celebrates the oldest competition in the world.

That was the Football Challenge Cup presented by Thomas Youdan, that was played only once at Bramall Lane in 1867.

West Germany v Switzerland at Hillsborough, July 12, 1966West Germany v Switzerland at Hillsborough, July 12, 1966
West Germany v Switzerland at Hillsborough, July 12, 1966
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Internationally-renowned sports artist Paul Trevillion – the man famed for drawing much-loved football comic strip Roy Of The Rovers – is designing artwork that will hang outside the entrance to the building.

Football’s Coming Home will bring the walkways of The Moor Market to life with a trail containing scores of Sheffield footballing facts counting right back to the formation of the world’s first club. Sheffield FC started in 1857.

The exhibition will contain scores of iconic images from Sheffield in 1966, memorabilia from the Hillsborough games and be a celebration of the success of Gordon Banks and the 1966 England team.

James Hope-Gill, Youdan Trophy director and organiser of the exhibition, said: “Football’s Coming Home is all about celebrating Sheffield’s unrivalled football heritage.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“People often forget how important the city was in the 1966 championships – from hosting four games at Hillsborough to being the home to one of the country’s greatest goalkeepers.

“Football’s Coming Home will also preview the city’s newest footballing first – the Youdan Trophy which kicks off in Sheffield on Monday, August 1.”

Local schools will play a central role in the exhibition. 20 shortlisted entries in a city-wide art competition launched by Paul Trevillion to mark the city’s footballing sports heritage will also be on show.

Sandra Barley, Moor Sheffield Centre Liaison Manager, said: “We’re always looking at innovative and exciting ways to bring something new to The Moor Market and we couldn’t think of anything more fitting than Football’s Coming Home.”

Admission to the exhibition will be free.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Youdan Trophy will be competed for by 32 teams at the U14 and U16 age groups between 1-5 August.

Top teams will be playing from Premier League clubs as well as from Australia, USA, Europe and Africa, in addition to Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United.

Sheffield-based You-Are-The-Ref.com, which is the world’s leading independent authority and education platform for match officials, are behind the creation of the Youdan Trophy.

The inaugural Youdan Trophy was successfully competed for last year by teams at U14 level from England, Scotland and Australia. Glasgow Rangers beat Charlton Athletic 3-2 in front of 1,000 spectators at the Bramall Lane final.

More information from www.youdantrophy.com

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

You can also follow the Youdan Trophy on Twitter (@YoudanTrophy), Instagram (@YoudanTrophy) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/YoudanTrophy).

* The Star Retro is backing the exhibition and trophy and will also be celebrating the anniversary with a 1966 special edition this July.

Retro readers will be able to share their memories of the memorable month when the world came to Sheffield.

We’re looking for your stories and mementoes of those days and we’ll also be announcing some other events in coming weeks.