Sheffield Supporters Begin Research Project

A group of Sheffield FC supporters have begun a major research project into the history of the club, tracing results all the way back to its earliest days in 1857.

With the club assured its pivotal role in the development of the world game, the aim is to rescue facts and figures from the many seasons in its long life that have been allowed to slip into obscurity. Currently historical records covering the progress of the world's oldest club are sparse at best and the team are hoping to rectify this.

Club supporter Rich Stevenson is very much leading the group with seemingly boundless energy and committed support from historian and long-time Sheffield follower Ben Webster and statistician Andy Dixon who first investigated the idea of compiling a database over a year ago.

Andy said, "I originally contacted the club to see what sort of historical records and data they had and was surprised to find there was nothing formally held and that much of the past records were not recorded at all by them. I started to pull bits together from internet sources and had some great help from Stuart James, of fans' website Behind The Flag, but progress was very slow and I had almost given up on the idea."

"Then I heard from Rich, who the club put in touch with me after he had also approached them with similar ideas, and we had several discussions about how to take things forward. He got Ben on board and the pair have been tireless in spending hours in Sheffield Local Studies Library searching through newspaper archives, tracking down and speaking to ex-players and other people with connections to the club."

"Rich had previously worked as a programmer and developer on a number of successful computer games, including the Actua Soccer and Premier Manager ranges. He went on to create a data research team who worked closely with organisation such as Opta and several well-known football names, including Barry Davies, Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer, and so was perfectly qualified to move the whole Sheffield FC project to the next level, which he has certainly been doing."

On the progress, aims and ambitions of the venture Ben said, "We're aiming for as complete a profile of each Sheffield game as the sources allow us - line-ups, scorers, attendances, match reports and everything else we can find.

We'll also be running a programme feature throughout the season - 'From the Vault' - to share some of the more interesting stories and characters we've managed to unearth. Sheffield Local Studies Library have been of great assistance, sometimes approaching us for help with their own holdings related to Sheffield FC; and terrace regular Norman Cann has a ripping yarn for every one of his teammates in the 1950s it seems!"

"For some clubs this sort of thing might only appeal to the die-hards but if the international coverage of the rules sale has shown us anything it is that people do care for football's heritage and Sheffield FC's place in that."

On what the next steps may be and what people may be able to do to help Ben added, "Local press coverage of Sheffield FC tended to be very sketchy during the 70s, 80s and 90s, so we would be particularly keen to make contact with players who turned out for Club in those decades, their relatives and friends. But we'd be delighted to hear from anyone with a past connection to Sheffield Football Club, be they players, officials or supporters. At this early stage we can almost guarantee you'll be sitting on information we don't already have."

"We're also on the lookout for fresh supplies of midnight oil for Rich, picture below hard at work in the library, to burn - please give generously!"

Anyone who feels they can help with any information, facts, figures or stories about the history of the club can contact the team on history@sheffieldfc.net.