THE oldest football stadium in the world is not home to one of the country's biggest clubs, but rather to a side that plays in the ninth tier of English football.
Hallam FC, officially the second oldest football club in the world, has been playing its home games at the same ground since 1860!
Their home, Sandygate Road, holds the title of the oldest football stadium in existence.
Located in Sheffield, the first match played at the ground was on Boxing Day 1860.
The match pitted Hallam against neighbors Sheffield FC, the oldest club in the world.
It is believed that this match was the first inter-club football match ever played.
While the stadium itself was actually built another 56 years before that match took place – in 1804.
It remains in use and Hallam currently uses the pitch to play their matches in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division.
The stadium seats 1,300 fans on a match day, while there is only room for 250 of those fans.
But those keen to see the second-oldest club play in the oldest stadium won't have to spend Premier League prices as a matchday ticket for Hallam costs just £6 for an adult.
Fans who visit the stadium now will find that it looks much the same as it used to, but with an abundance of historical plaques and signs showcasing the stadium's historical significance.
While across the street the sad demolition of The Plow Inn pub has also taken place.
The old pub was thought to be the location where the modern rules of football were agreed in the 19th century.
Despite much campaigning from locals, the pub was demolished in 2023.
Hallam FC are currently seventh in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division.
But still harbor hopes of moving up the divisions to reach the level that would better represent the history behind the club and their ground.
For now, they proudly keep a replica of the Youdan Cup – a competition that predates the FA Cup – which they won in 1867 in their trophy cabinet, to remind them of the club's roots.
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