'This is not Wrexham, I'm not Ryan Reynolds!' Rockstar Sheffield FC chairman's hopes for the world's oldest club

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FT Desk

Reverend and the Makers frontman Jon McClure has big plans for the world's oldest football club, Sheffield FC.

Nicknamed The Club, they were founded in 1857 by Nathaniel Creswick and William Prest in Sheffield, England. They are widely recognised by FIFA and the Football Association as the world’s oldest football club. The club played an important role in developing early rules of football, including ideas such as free kicks, throw-ins and corners. They initially played matches against local teams and helped establish football as an organised sport before the formation of the Football Association in 1863.

In recognition of its historical importance, Sheffield FC received the FIFA Order of Merit in 2004, becoming the first football club to receive the honour. The club's motto, “Since 1857,” reflects its unique place at the beginning of organised football.

Remarkably, despite the club's historical significance, they have never actually played in the Football League and have been overshadowed in the city by Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday.

Still, McClure, who was named chairman earlier this year, wants to help the club grow and has put in plans for a new 15,000-seater stadium, a football academy, eSports hub, national football festival, clothing brand, visitor centre, a television series as well as a new podcast.

Mud, Sweat and Cheers: Trouble at the Bottom – Sheffield FC, is a six-part podcast series hosted by Sheffield singer-songwriter Self Esteem and it focuses on a season of change at the club.

However, McClure is keen to point out that the club probably won't enjoy a meteoric rise like Wrexham, backed by the Hollywood money of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

"This is not Wrexham. I'm not Ryan Reynolds. Let's get it clear, I'm in an indie band. I know my place in this world," McClure told BBC Radio Sheffield in March.

"I've taken a lot of advice from football people. I'm not a football person, and I won't be involved in football stuff."

"I think everybody wants the club back in the city, but there's only Sheffield that could invent football and build a B&Q car park on it," he added in relation to the site of their original home now being occupied by the DIY chain.

Since 2001 Sheffield FC have played at the Coach and Horses Ground in Dronfield, North Derbyshire.

McClure believes that there should be a much bigger deal made by the fact they are recognised as the oldest football club in the world.

"For far too long now this city has not shouted about itself. It's enough now," he said.

"Now's our time to stand up and say this city's brilliant.

"We invented this game, and this club invented this game, and we're going to celebrate that."

One fan told the BBC: "If the first club in the world was based in Manchester, it would be all over everywhere. If it was in London, it would be all over everywhere. We do nothing about it."

At the moment, Sheffield FC plays in the United Counties League Premier Division North. Despite some initial reservations about McClure being made chairman, he wants judgement to come at the end of this season.

"Judge it in a year," he suggested.

"If it's not tangibly in a better place than it is now, come and see me at a match and discuss why you think that's not the case."