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Blatter hails home of football

25 October 2007

FIFA President Sepp Blatter hailed Sheffield FC as the home of football at a special celebration last night (October 24) to mark the club’s 150th anniversary.

Blatter, along with FA chairman Geoff Thompson, former sports minister Richard Caborn and a host of the great and good from English football attended a special Thanksgiving to football service at Sheffield Cathedral and a gala dinner at the Cutlers' Hall.

The event celebrated Sheffield FC as the world's first football club and how they have helped develop the game across the globe.

Mr Blatter said: "I am honoured to be here, together with the FIFA vice-president and FA Chairman Geoff Thompson and all our other distinguished guests. It is an exceptional gathering in this good city of Sheffield, the greatest city in England!

"We are all in the house of football and Sheffield FC is the basis of our organisation. I come here to celebrate this occasion as a representative of one billion people worldwide who are directly and indirectly linked with football, to compliment the very first football club in our big family."

Famous names at the event included former Spain manager and Inter Milan legend Luis Suárez Miramontes, Sir Tom Finney, Gordon Banks, Sir Dave Richards, PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor, The Lord Mayor of Sheffield Cllr Arthur Dunworth, David Blunkett MP, Clinton Woods, Junior Witter, Mark Bright, Derek Dooley, Bryan Robson and Brian Laws.

Blatter along with more than 500 people attended the service from the Dean of Sheffield, The Very Reverend Peter Bradley and Rev'd Giles Fraser before heading to the Cutlers' Hall for the dinner.

Mr Blatter added: "I speak to you as the family of football, and I would like to mention the exceptional Cathedral service this evening. I have been with FIFA for 33 years. In all that time, I have never seen football be given an official homage in church, to ask God to give thanks to our beautiful game that we all love."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown also sent a message of support saying: "It is with great pleasure that I am able to send a message of support to everyone involved with Sheffield Football Club as they celebrate their 150th Anniversary.

"As the world's first football club and founder member of the Football Association, Sheffield FC has played an important role in the beginning of the nation's long lasting love affair with football.

"Football has the power to unite communities both nationally and internationally and in particular through its football supporters, who are the lifeblood of the clubs they represent. Sheffield FC is an excellent example of how a football club can have a sustained and positive effect on its community.

"I would like to congratulate Sheffield FC and wish them another 150 years of success, and the very best of luck for the future."

Sheffield FC chairman Richard Tims received a commemorative plaque from FIFA in recognition of the club's historic achievement.

Professor Phillip Jones from Sheffield Hallam University and Sheffield United's Scott McCabe also presented Sheffield FC with special gifts as part the celebrations.