silverfox
Well-Known Member
From the OS..........
Soccer legend Pele's visit to Sheffield United will include special tributes to the world's oldest football club and the first black England international player, it was announced today.
At the Blades Legends of the Lane attraction at Bramall Lane - the original home of football - he will officially open a display on the 150th anniversary on Sheffield FC, which will include the first public showing in 40years of the original hand written rules of football.
The Brazilian superstar will also officially unveil a showcase about black players at Bramall Lane, marking the 30th anniversary of former Manchester United and Real Madrid star Lawrie Cunningham becoming the first black player to wear an England shirt.
United director Simon McCabe said: "When Pele heard about our forthcoming exhibitions he immediately wanted to be involved. We are delighted that he wants to participate in the recognition of two landmarks - albeit very different - in the development of the game."
The original rules of football have been sitting in the City of Sheffield Archives for the last 40 years.
John Garret from Sheffield United's Legends of the Lane said: "The rules are the Holy Grail of football. They have been recognised as the original handwritten rules written by Sheffield FC members at the Adelphi Hotel - now the world famous Crucible Theatre - in April, 1857.
"They are priceless as the first coherent and legible rules of football that are the basis for the modern game," added John who outlined that the display will also feature a range of Sheffield FC memorabilia including a player's medal from the only time the club won the FA Amateur Cup in 1904.
The other exhibition - which centres on the impact of black players at Bramall Lane - specifically commemorates the debut of Lawrie Cunningham for England U21s v Scotland U21s at Bramall Lane in April, 1977. United's Keith Edwards and Paul Garner also played in the fixture.
"His selection created a lot of interest and he went onto score the only goal in the game," said John. "At the time Lawrie was introduced to local youngsters in Sharrow near the ground where the groundbreaking Football Unites Racism Divides project is now based.
"Lawrie's visit to the community and his appearance for England became a real talking and we have been delighted to work with FURD to mark this occasion with an exhibition."
The achievements of a number of players are featured including that of the former Sheffield United, Preston and Rotherham goalkeeper Arthur Wharton - recognised as the first black player in English football. He played during the 1890s.
Pele will officially open the exhibitions before an audience of invited guests at the Legends of the Lane on Thursday, November 8th. He will then watch Sheffield United U17s play Sao Paulo U17s in the final game of the Pele Challenge U17s international tournament at Bramall Lane before being introduced to the crowd ahead of Sheffield FC's 150th special anniversary game against Inter Milan at Bramall Lane on the same night.
Tickets for the game are available from United's Box office.
Sheffield FC are also set to launch their official 150th anniversary commemorative book at the Legends of the Lane event. The book takes a look at Sheffield FC's entire history including further insight into how the club was formed and its influential role in developing the game we know today.
Soccer legend Pele's visit to Sheffield United will include special tributes to the world's oldest football club and the first black England international player, it was announced today.
At the Blades Legends of the Lane attraction at Bramall Lane - the original home of football - he will officially open a display on the 150th anniversary on Sheffield FC, which will include the first public showing in 40years of the original hand written rules of football.
The Brazilian superstar will also officially unveil a showcase about black players at Bramall Lane, marking the 30th anniversary of former Manchester United and Real Madrid star Lawrie Cunningham becoming the first black player to wear an England shirt.
United director Simon McCabe said: "When Pele heard about our forthcoming exhibitions he immediately wanted to be involved. We are delighted that he wants to participate in the recognition of two landmarks - albeit very different - in the development of the game."
The original rules of football have been sitting in the City of Sheffield Archives for the last 40 years.
John Garret from Sheffield United's Legends of the Lane said: "The rules are the Holy Grail of football. They have been recognised as the original handwritten rules written by Sheffield FC members at the Adelphi Hotel - now the world famous Crucible Theatre - in April, 1857.
"They are priceless as the first coherent and legible rules of football that are the basis for the modern game," added John who outlined that the display will also feature a range of Sheffield FC memorabilia including a player's medal from the only time the club won the FA Amateur Cup in 1904.
The other exhibition - which centres on the impact of black players at Bramall Lane - specifically commemorates the debut of Lawrie Cunningham for England U21s v Scotland U21s at Bramall Lane in April, 1977. United's Keith Edwards and Paul Garner also played in the fixture.
"His selection created a lot of interest and he went onto score the only goal in the game," said John. "At the time Lawrie was introduced to local youngsters in Sharrow near the ground where the groundbreaking Football Unites Racism Divides project is now based.
"Lawrie's visit to the community and his appearance for England became a real talking and we have been delighted to work with FURD to mark this occasion with an exhibition."
The achievements of a number of players are featured including that of the former Sheffield United, Preston and Rotherham goalkeeper Arthur Wharton - recognised as the first black player in English football. He played during the 1890s.
Pele will officially open the exhibitions before an audience of invited guests at the Legends of the Lane on Thursday, November 8th. He will then watch Sheffield United U17s play Sao Paulo U17s in the final game of the Pele Challenge U17s international tournament at Bramall Lane before being introduced to the crowd ahead of Sheffield FC's 150th special anniversary game against Inter Milan at Bramall Lane on the same night.
Tickets for the game are available from United's Box office.
Sheffield FC are also set to launch their official 150th anniversary commemorative book at the Legends of the Lane event. The book takes a look at Sheffield FC's entire history including further insight into how the club was formed and its influential role in developing the game we know today.
