Original football rule book tops exhibition
A 'Slice of Football History' exhibition presented by Sheffield United opens for the public tomorrow at the Auberge d'Italie in Merchants' Street, Valletta. It features a range of items which should be of interest to all those who follow the English...
A 'Slice of Football History' exhibition presented by Sheffield United opens for the public tomorrow at the Auberge d'Italie in Merchants' Street, Valletta.
It features a range of items which should be of interest to all those who follow the English game, including the handwritten rules of English Football written by members of Sheffield F.C, which is the world’s oldest football club, in the Adelphi Hotel, Sheffield in 1858. This was the rules standard adopted by the English F.A in 1863 and the standard used throughout the football world. This one document changed the face of the game forever.
Also on display is The Youdan Cup c 1867 – the world’s oldest Football trophy. Missing for many years and recovered in 1997, it helped influence Charles Alcock to inaugurate the F.A Cup, the most famous Cup competition in the world.
Other items include: a 1902 F.A Cup Winners’ medal awarded to Alf Common- Common was one of the most influential characters in the pre 1st World War game; a 1925 F.A Cup Winners’ medal awarded to Fred Tunstall - A Sheffield United great; a 1925 F.A Cup Final shirt worn by Ernest Milton; a 1936 F.A Cup Final shirt worn by Harry Hooper and a 1904 England v Ireland Cap worn by Alf Common- awarded during his spell as a Sheffield United player.
There is also the 1899 F.A Cup Final Ball, and a 1899 Replica F.A Cup- Awarded to Sheffield United to commemorate the 1899 victory.
The exhibition will be officially opened this evening by Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco and will be open to the public tomorrow and on Friday from 8 am - 7 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 8:30am - 1pm and Monday from 8am - 7 pm
Sheffield United and Ferencvaros, a team owned by Sheffield, are currently on a visit to Malta. Ferencvaros face an MFA XI at Ta' Qali today at 7:30pm.(entrance is free). Officials and players from the clubs have also been visiting schools and Mater Dei Hospital. Local hero Justin Haber joined the team yesterday.
The Malta Tourism Authority is a sponsor of Sheffield United.