A delegation from the world's first and oldest football club is taking a historic document containing the original "Rules of Football" to the world's leading convention on global football in South Africa.
Sheffield FC chairman Richard Tims and colleagues will exhibit the manuscript at Soccerex in the Gauteng Province later this month. Soccerex is the leading business convention for the global football community. This year's event consists of a two day football festival and a three day conference and exhibition, bringing together thousands of football industry executives for five days of networking, socialising and learning. FIFA President Sepp Blatter will be its guest of honour.
Having retained its amateur status for more than 150 years, Sheffield FC is currently enjoying playing football at its highest level of the grassroots game. It also holds a number of football firsts, including: the first free kick, the first throw-in, the first header, the first corner kick, the first floodlit match and the first use of a solid crossbar.
These innovations and the first written Rules/Laws of the Game are detailed in a manuscript that dates back to 1857, which will go on display at Soccerex.
The manuscript has been authenticated by Christies and Sotheby's to be one of the oldest pieces of football memorabilia in existence. It has only ever left the UK once before with the Club, when it was presented to FIFA at the House of Football in Zurich in 2008, for review. The rules are to be entrusted to the Sheffield FC Foundation, of which Sepp Blatter is President.
Sheffield FC Chairman Richard Tims said: "We are delighted to be attending this year's Soccerex. With the World Cup almost upon us, this event will see most of the leading figures of global football come together to share their knowledge, experience and ideas about our beautiful game.
"For an amateur, grassroots and community-focussed club, the chance to share such an international platform with some of the biggest names in world football is a great achievement."
David Wright Marketing Director for Soccerex said "All at Soccerex are delighted that Sheffield FC are able to bring such an historically important document to display in our exhibition halls. The Soccerex Convention is place for the business of football to be addressed but we recognise the heritage of the game is vital to this industry and having the Original Rules of the Game Manuscript on display is a real coup."
The club has teamed up with Virgin Atlantic Airlines, which has been named as official carriers of the manuscript to and from Soccerex. Virgin flies regularly to Johannesburg and Cape Town, making it the ideal travel supplier for fans wanting to get to the 2010 World Cup.
The airline is also supporting Sheffield FC's Boots for Africa charity and has kindly agreed to transport 250 pairs of boots for distribution in to the Alexandra Townships via the South African Sports Trust. The charity has sent over 7,000 pairs of boots to South Africa.
Richard Tims added: "I would like to pass on my extreme gratitude to Virgin for agreeing to help safely transport this historic piece of sporting memorabilia to Soccerex and also for its kind support of our Boots for Africa project.
"Football helps to build communities, develop social understanding and improve the lives of millions of people around the planet and our appeal helps to develop the skills and fitness of aspiring disadvantaged children, and provide more children with the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful game."
