The worlds' oldest football trophy and England's first handwritten rules of the game will be among a rare collection to be exhibited in Malta next month.
The exhibition forms part of a series of events during which Sheffield United players and representatives will visit schools and hospital children, and the Hungarian team Ferencvaros will play against Malta. Maltese player Justin Haber is United's goalkeeper. The collection of football heritage promises to be the highlight of the programme organised by the Malta Tourism Authority and Sheffield United, known as the Blades.
The team will be sending some of the most important pieces from their Legends of the Lane museum for the exhibition that runs between Wednesday and February 9 at the authority's offices in Valletta.
It will include the original handwritten rules laid out in 1858 by Sheffield FC, the world's oldest football club, and adopted by the Football Association as the standard in 1863.
The Youdan Cup, the world's oldest football trophy, played for at the Bramall Lane ground in 1867 and won by Hallam FC, will also be displayed.
Other exhibits include replicas of the four FA Cups won by the Blades, various medals, caps, cup final shirts and the ball used in the 1899 FA Cup Final, which saw United beat Derby County by four goals to one.
On Wednesday at 7.30 p.m., Ferencvaros - which forms part of the English Championship club Sheffield United family of international clubs - will play against the national team. Admission is free. The Blades' playing legends Tony Currie and Alan Hodgkinson will be coming to Malta as part of the build-up to the game.
They will be joined by current United star Gary Speed, the Welsh international who holds the record number of Premier League appearances.
Sheffield United staff and ambassadors will visit schools and the Children's Ward at the Hospital, on Tuesday, to hand out gifts. Captain Blade, United's mascot, will help bring some cheer to the children.
Captain Blade will also launch a Sheffield United Junior Blades branch in Malta. All the children who join are in with a chance to visit Sheffield and be a mascot at a match.
Exchange visits for members and football coaching courses with goalkeeper Haber have also been planned as part of the initiative.
Visit www.sufcjuniorblades.com to register.