The ‘Sheffield Home of Football’ charity celebrated its official launch, amongst footballing legends, at the Town Hall last week.
The event was attended by former Sheffield United and England captain Tony Currie, former International World Cup referee Keith Hackett, the Lord Mayor Councillor Colin Ross and Councillor Denise Fox.
It marked a celebration of the charity becoming officially registered and appointing a new board of trustees.
Trustee and Media Officer of SHoF and former BBC Journalist Andy Kershaw, said: “It was just nice to have all the right people in the room at one time. Keith Hackett’s a huge figure, and a lovely man as well.
“People like Tony Currie, who was having his picture taken with all sorts of people.
“I got told off at the end of the event for not getting Tony Currie to sign some t-shirts.
“If you’re not a Sheffielder you can’t understand how much of a legend he is in Sheffield, former England and Sheffield United captain, he’s regarded as the best ever for Sheffield United.”
SHoF aims to raise funds to open a heritage centre telling the story of the foundation of the game.
Premises for the museum will be funded via donation and sponsorship, however the location remains unconfirmed.
Alongside this, SHoF plans to run a programme of education, teaching people about the unique role of Sheffield in the development of the modern game.
This will include a series of five mile walking tours, signposting the ‘40 football firsts’ belonging to Sheffield and lectures featuring guest speakers.
Mr Kershaw said: “Kids are taught about cutlery and the history of knife making and things like that in Sheffield, but they’re not taught about the history of football in Sheffield, and that’s a gap we want to fill.
“I’m not a mad keen fanatic football fan, what I’m interested in is raising the profile of Sheffield as a city, for this huge historical, unique position we have.
“We’re seen as a sporting city, an outdoor city, a literate city, and we want it to be Sheffield home of football.”
