Rules derby

Rules derby
Other namesThe oldest derby
The first derby
SportFootball
LocationSheffield
Teams
First meeting26 December 1860
Hallam 0–2 Sheffield
Latest meeting21 January 2025
Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup
Hallam 2–1 Sheffield
StadiumsHome of Football Stadium (Sheffield)
Sandygate (Hallam)
Rules derby is located in Sheffield
Hallam
Hallam
Sheffield
Sheffield

Rules derby (or Sheffield derby) is a football derby played in Sheffield, England between Sheffield F.C. and Hallam F.C. It was first played on 26 December 1860[1] and is the oldest football fixture in the world. The name refers to the fact that the fixture was originally played under the Sheffield Rules.

History

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The first match was played at Hallam's home ground, Sandygate, and resulted in a Sheffield victory by two goals to nil. The teams competed in the first ever football match at Bramall Lane.

The derby is currently not a regular fixture as the two sides have not recently played in the same league; Hallam are currently in the NPL Division One East, while Sheffield are in the NCEL Premier Division, one tier below. However, the teams do regularly meet in pre-season friendlies and occasionally local FA matches. The last competitive meeting between the two sides was a 2–1 win for Hallam on 21 January 2025 in the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup at Sandygate.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "World's oldest football teams play in derby". BBC News. BBC. 27 July 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  2. ^ "Hallam FC v Sheffield FC: 1,496 pack into World's Oldest Ground for 2025's version of the first derby". The Star. 22 January 2025. Retrieved 22 January 2025.