Sheffield FC auctions off a rule handbook from 1858 as the club hits it 154th year.

Sheffield FC is a club, which prides itself on being the oldest club in the history of the world, starting in 1854 and then in 2004 being recognised by FIFA alongside Real Madrid for their services to football with a Centennial Order of Merit.

The 153-year-old handwritten pamphlet belonging to the club will be auctioned as part of an archive states the rules of the game and it is believed to be one of the earliest instructions on the game.

The archive is expected to fetch up to £1.2m at auction and will be taken to Paris, New York and Doha before the auction takes place.

The pamphlet introduces laws of the game that still exist, such as the indirect free kick, the corner kick and the use of a crossbar.

The chairman of the club Richard Sims has said on the website Chairman of Sheffield Football Club, Richard Tims, commented: “The sale of this remarkable piece of sporting history will allow Sheffield Football Club to develop its facilities and secure its future as the home of grass‐roots football. The club is incredibly proud of its long history, and it is fitting that the club has until now provided a home for the oldest recorded rules of club football. But together with its instrumental role in the evolution of the game we know and love today, the club has always placed a particular focus on developing the game for future generations.”

The club who play in the Evo-Stick first division, south league is situated in the BT Local Business Stadium on Sheffield Road, Dronfield with a capacity of 2089 are selling the pamphlet to secure the future of the club. They have 10 teams in total, which includes 5 ladies teams.

This year, at the end of the season finished mid table, at 11^th, winning 15 games out of 42.

Christian Millar, a player at Leek Town FC who play in the same league as Sheffield FC said, ‘It is a great honor to play against a team who shaped the game, I have told many people about the club and how I have played against the oldest football team in the world. I would love to get my hands on the pamphlet but somehow don’t think I’ll get near in the auction room!”

In 2007, the club celebrated their 150^th year with ‘a service to football’, which was attended by the President of FIFA himself, Sepp Blatter and other key dignitaries.

The club not only boasts about its age status but also does a lot for the community. In February 2005 the  ‘Sheffield Football Club schools and Community coaching scheme’ was creating. They provide high quality football and fitness coaching to local youngsters whatever their age, sex, religion or ability.  
Since the scheme was established in February 2005, the World’s First Football Club, Sheffield FC, have developed close associations with many schools in both mainstream and special educational needs schools in the Sheffield area and provided in-school coaching for age groups from age 4 to 16.

The club also offers talk to schools, and community centres to highlight the important role that Sheffield FC took in creating the game of football. James Hammond, age 10 goes to Totley Primary school where the club have delivered a speech said, ‘I really enjoyed hearing about how the club who I support helped create the game, it makes me feel proud.

Along with encouraging people in the community to play football, Sheffield FC also support the Boots for Africa campaign founded by McDonalds. The campaign helps disadvantaged but aspiring children with their fitness and skills by giving them the opportunity to play football. The charity and football club helps collect thousands of cleaned and tied up football boots and deliver to the children of Africa.  Richard Tims, the chairman of Sheffield FC posted a quote on the website about the boots for Africa campaign, he said ‘"Football has taken a lot out of Africa with many great players moving out of the continent to play in the world's top leagues. Our Appeal provides a fantastic opportunity for the game to give something back and help improve the lives of many less fortunate children.”

The club finished mid table at the end of the 2010/11 football season winning 15 games out of 42.


By Lauren Davies

Scouts in Sheffield mark St. Georges day

Yesterday, around 1800 scouts from all over Sheffield gathered outside the city hall to mark St. George’s day, the patron St of England.

This year St. George’s day will be officially celebrated on 2^nd May because of late Easter, but the Scouts took the traditional approach of celebrating on the 23^rd April.

Around 1800 scouts were gathered outside the city hall which used to happen annually, but scout leader Mark Ward said that they can no longer afford to rent out the city hall yearly because the price has increased too much.

“We expect that this event will only happen every three to four years from now on.” He said.

The sun was shining all day as spectators gathered to watch the Scouts parade. They took to the streets around the city centre waving St. Georges Flags, playing music, dancing and had a large Scout band playing too.

The crowds which gathered to watch looked to be having a good time.

Spectator Christine Lowds said, “The parade was fantastic. The Scouts made a very good effort and it has been a really enjoyable day.”

Mark Ward said “This year, the parade had been brilliant, but it has been a lot smaller than it has been in previous years.” He said that in 2008 around 3500 scouts joined the parade which was the biggest they have held.

After the parade, the scouts returned to the city hall where they continued to sing, dance and play music until 4.30pm.

By Ryan Williamson

Sheffield Hallam University Announces £8,500 fees.

Leeds Met, Liverpool John Moores and Manchester Met announce their increase of fees to £8,500 per year, the students of Sheffield waited with baited breath.

It was announced on 19^th April by Professor Philip Jones, Vice Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University that fees per year will rise from £3,375 per year to £8,5000.

This is £500 less than the £9000 maximum charge that universities such as Cambridge and Oxford have opted for.

This comes as the government cut teaching grants of universities down by 80% for students enrolling in university in September 2012.

Students are disappointed but not surprised. Virginie Mousset, a student at Sheffield Hallam, said ‘It was bound to happen; I am not at all surprised.  I wont be affected but my brother will be, its making him think twice about applying to university simply because of the expense.’

Other students acknowledge the situation that the university was put in, Kristy Clarke said, ‘it was a difficult one for the university, they cant put to fees too low as the university will be left behind but then they too expensive to push people away.’

The vice chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University issued a letter to all students explaining the choice.

http://shuspace.shu.ac.uk/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp

Link to the letter.

By Lauren Davies

WOODHOUSE SUCCESS IN TACKLING ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

According to South Yorkshire police great improvements have been made in the last  two years in reducing anti-social behaviour in the Woodhouse area of Sheffield.  Spokeswoman  Suzanne Rutter says that  “Robustly tackling antisocial behaviour in Woodhouse has led to significant results”.

"Things have got much better,"  agrees local resident Mr David Carter, aged 42 “we used to have young people walking around the area, drinking and urinating wherever they pleased.  It was getting really squalid.  But all that has reduced with Anti-social behaviour orders”.

Once  a former farming and coal-mining village Woodhouse is a suburb in the south-east of Sheffield. 

A Safer Neighbourhood Team  has been working alongside the community to try and improve the quality of life for local residents, say South Yorkshire Police. 

In January 2010,  members of the team  issued 60 Parent Advisory Letters and seven Acceptable Behaviour Contracts. This is the second highest result for Safer Neighbourhood Teams in the city.

Over the last 18 months Antisocial Behaviour Orders have also been granted by the courts following information gathered by the Safer Neighbourhood Team. 

South Yorkshire police crime figures show a reduction in the number of incidents received about antisocial behaviour in the area, compared to the same period the previous year. In November 2009 the police force received 29 per cent less calls, in December 2009 there were 6 per cent less calls followed by 8 per cent less on January 2010 and 36 per cent in February 2010. 

By Rob Weitz

Royal celebrations in Woodhouse

Residents of woodhouse gathered at the Stagg Inn this morning to celebrate the Royal wedding.

The doors of the Woodhouse pub opened at ten, where the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton was being screened on a projector.

People began to drift into the pub at around ten-fifteen and by ten-forty-five the pub was busy. Landlady Carol Dobson said “I opened the doors early so people could come in, get a drink and get settled before the ceremony started.” She said she was closing the bar during the vows so not to disturb the special moment.  

Some locals came dressed in red, white and blue colours with hats and flags. “It’s an important event in British history, so we’re celebrating properly” said shop assistant Beth Nickison.

People settled as they watched the Royal family members arrive at St. Pauls’ Cathedral in London.

The pub went quiet when the ceremony began and people took the opportunity to get their last drinks before William and Kate exchanged vows.

During the vows the pub remained silent as people focused on the screen.

“It was beautiful to watch because it was all so perfect”, said Gregg Able, who joined the crowd at the pub. He said he wasn’t a supporter of the Royal family but the wedding was worth watching because it was such a massive event in British history.

The landlady set out a free buffet for residents, some of whom stayed throughout the afternoon. Mid afternoon there was a karaoke and later the pub continued to play music.

There was also a bouncy castle in the beer garden which kept people entertained throughout the afternoon too.

The party finished at six, but the pub stayed open till usual close.

By Ryan Williamson

Student protests in Sheffield 12/03/2011

A look of concern on the face of a Sheffield protester against university funding cuts.

By Ryan Williamson

Weston Park cancer charity

Sheffield student JP Preston is supporting Weston Park cancer charity on the 30^th August by taking a sponsored 13000ft plunge at Langar airfield, Nottinghamshire.

He is braving the skydiving challenge and said he looks forward to the event. He will jump from an airplane at 13000ft in tandem with a qualified skydiver from the Red Devils skydiving team and will accelerate from 0 – 120mph in just ten seconds.

He said, ‘I think it is important that people support charities and cancer is something which more and more of us seem to be affected by these days.’ I haven’t had any personal experience with cancer, but know people who have and have seen how it affects people he added.

Weston park cancer Charity in Sheffield is one of only three in the UK. Based at Weston park hospital, the charity aims to raise money to fund the research into, and treatment of cancer. It is a dedicated cancer hospital employing world class researchers to find new methods of treating cancer patients. The money raised is used to fund budgets which are out of government areas.

A runner participating in memory of her
Nannie who lost her battle against cancer

To raise money, Weston Park hosts various fund raising events such as skydiving, and the upcoming run in the park. Run in the park has been held for the past two years and over £20000 has been raised through sponsorships each year. This year, the run will be held on the 10^th of July in Graves Park, Sheffield and will consist of two events. The main event to be held will be a 10km run, which is open to participants of 15 years and older. Also to be held is a 3km run which is open to everyone, including those under 15; and for those who are feeling super fit – it is ok to participate in both. Some of those who participate provide personal reasons for doing so.

Last year, 550 people attended the run, and it is hoped that more people will attend year-on-year. 1980 Olympic sprinter, Joslyn Hoyte Smith (left) has launched the 10km race in the two previous events and it is hoped that she will do the same again this year.

Olympic sprinter Joslyn Hoyte Smith opening last year event

Fundraiser and event organiser, lyndsey Raynor said that the charity is incredibly grateful for all of the support they receive. ‘The money raised by the charity is spent in various ways throughout the hospital in order to provide a quality service and to provide patients with the best possible chance of recovery.’ The Weston park radiotherapy department has just bought a £140000 scanner using some of the money raised, which targets tumours more specifically than standard equipment. It also funds Researchers' work to test new drugs in hope to find new ways to treat cancer.

It isn’t just the research and treatment which is funded though. It has been found that younger cancer patients make a faster recovery when they are separated from elder patients and for this reason, Weston park cancer charity has a dedicated unit for patients aged 15 – 25.

Within this dedicated unit, patients each have their own room, which is rare under the NHS. They are also provided with a lounge area where there is entertainment such as games consoles, PC’s, and TV’s. Each room is en-suite and the idea is to make each patients’ stay as comfortable as possible.

The chemotherapy unit at Weston Park treats 8000 newly diagnosed patients for cancer each year. Senior fundraiser Catherine Rhone said that last year, weston park saw 45 thousand attendances including clinical appointments, check-ups and follow-ups. 'As figures currently stand, one in three of us will be diagnosed with cancer during our lifetime.'

Besides treating cancer patients, Weston Park also provides support and information for those who are indirectly affected by cancer such as relatives and friends to help them deal with the mental and physical strain they might suffer too.

In total, Weston Park spends around £120 million per year in research, equipment, support and maintaining a high standard of care for patients. ‘It is only because of the generosity of all the people who support us that we are able to provide the services we do. We are incredibly grateful for the support and hope it continues.’

By Ryan Williamson

The Bristol Riot of Stokes Croft

Why was a new Tesco Express in Stokes Croft the cause of the biggest riot seen in the area for many years? 

The strength of feeling of local residents. Picture from

http://stokescroft.wordpress.com/page/9/

Tesco had been open for less than a week when, in the early hours of the 22nd April, it was severely damaged. Rioters were throwing petrol bombs, smashing windows, breaking the shutters and stealing goods. Riot police urgently tried to take control of the situation but a violent battle between police and protesters continued for over five hours.

At its peak at around 2.30am, there were about 160 police officers equipped with riot gear and shields. The violence ended at about 4am, during the clashes one police officer had his teeth knocked out and others were treated for neck and shoulder injuries.

Joe Jackson, a student told me that “A paving stone was dropped on a police officer’s head from a 20ft high building. I saw this stone dropped and crushed the policeman like a piece of paper, I’d never seen anything like it. The whole crowd went silent, that’s when we knew it was serious.”

Banksy Graffiti, Bristol. Image By Rob Weitz

Local traders now fear the Easter riot will create huge losses and setback the reputation of the area for many years. Stokes Croft is a place that is renowned for its' bohemian character, creativity and artistic colony with the graffiti garden on Picton street. It is also home to the famous Banksy graffiti ‘The Mild, Mild West’ which features a teddy bear aiming a molotov cocktail at riot police.

Several local businesses were damaged, next door, Fred Baker Cycles – a family business established for 40 years had one of its window panels smashed. Geoff Gardiner, 41, owner, said: “Plate glass of that size will cost about £600 to repair.” ‘The Bristolian’ cafe on Picton Street also had its door panel ruined.

Local residents claim that Tesco - the UK's biggest supermarket chain - is the opposite of what Stokes Croft is about. Before it opened the local community made it clear, during a year of campaigning, that Tesco was not welcome: 2500 people sent postcards to the council opposing the establishment of the store. In a recent survey 96% of the 500 local residents questioned said they did not want another supermarket in the area: as there were already five within a mile.

During the course of the anti-Tesco campaign, local protesters warned in 2010: “If Tesco does open in Stokes Croft, the battle is not over. Stokes Croft is our Cultural Quarter: an area defined by its local culture. If Tesco decide to open, with an overwhelming local opposition, then we must ensure that Tesco, and the devious methods employed by Tesco, do not prosper.”

When Bristol City Council considered planning permission for the site in 2009 they did not know that it was for a Tesco store, as the application was made by a third party. This meant no one had the opportunity to object at that stage as  there was no indication that a Tesco was planned in Stokes Croft. The campaign to stop the Tesco started in February 2010 after word spread that a new Tesco shop was trying to obtain planning permission through a third party company.

WHAT CAUSED THE RIOT?

From 9.15pm on Thursday night 21^st April crowds started to gather around the police on Stokes Croft. The police had sealed off Cheltenham road to traffic and had earlier raided a squat known as ‘Telepathic heights’.  Squatters were suspected of planning a petrol bomb attack on the Tesco Express, four people were arrested and petrol bombs were allegedly recovered.

A local resident said: “It was not clear whether the riot was sparked off by these arrests” .

As police started leaving the squat they arrested another man on suspicion of acting with intent to threaten lives. People began to barricade the road with furniture, bikes and bins which were set on fire. Tension heightened when a police 4x4 was smashed up and set on fire. By midnight bottles and stones started to get hurled at the police from the crowd which now numbered around 200 anti-Tesco activists, local residents and drinkers coming out of pubs.  

Violent clashes between the protesters and the police carried on until four in the morning in the streets around Stokes Croft including: Cheltenham Road, Ninetree Hill, Picton Street and Jamaica Street.  “It was very surreal,” said Jesse Webb, 34 from Ninetree Hill, “There were so many police right from the go. I think they were a bit heavy handed.”

Another resident Phineas Claydon said: “It seemed like an excuse for other crimes and muggings, I saw one person  beaten over the head with another person’s crutch and then have his wallet and phone stolen.  A lot of things that happened were never reported.”

Tesco Express after the riot on Cheltenham Road. Image by Rob Weitz

‎ Alana Bloom, a local resident, wrote on Facebook: “Eight Police officers were allegedly injured? What about the countless people who were bitten by police dogs, pushed to the ground, hit over the head  and trampled by the police?”

The police were also said to have used an aggressive technique known as “kettling” where the crowd were forced into a confined area. Other witnesses say it was 50/50 split between the aggression of the protesters and aggression of the police.”

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset police, Mr John Hansen said: “It was a violent confrontation. Many people did comply with our directions and protested in a peaceful, law-abiding way, but there was a hardcore who continued to be violent.”

Claire Milne, co-ordinator of the ‘No Tesco in Stokes Croft’ says she had repeatedly warned Tesco and the city council that violence would erupt and believes that backlash was inevitable.

By Rob Weitz

Sheffield’s school children have attempted to break a world record for the longest conversation.

Pupils of Totley Primary School at the World record attempt

Over a thousand school children from all over Sheffield gathered in the City’s Peace Gardens to sing ‘Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’ complete with actions for 5 minutes.

The UK wide event was held by the speech and language charity I CAN to mark their 10^th year.

The turnout in Sheffield was the best in the country. Over a thousand 5 year olds contributed alongside their teachers, parents and carers.

Amongst the schools there was Totley Primary School who took 90 of their pupils along.

The headmaster Chris Totley said ‘“Communication skills are often something that we take for granted, however children suffering from communication difficulties often find school a real struggle. This event is a great way to raise the awareness of I CAN.’

One of the many children there was Mia Fowler, aged 5 ‘I had lots of fun, I want to do it again soon.’

Council leader, Paul Scriven was at the forefront of the event.

He said ‘I am delighted Sheffield has the largest outdoor event in the country. Sheffielders love rising to a challenge and this has certainly been proved here.”

The record, which needs to be vetted by the Guinness Book of World Records, will officially be for the largest conversation held in multiple venues. The success of the attempt will be announced in following weeks.

By Lauren Davies