Historic football club hits jackpot as rule book fetches £881,250

The lot at Sotheby’s – which included both the original handwritten draft rules from 1858 and the only known surviving copy of the printed Rules, Regulations and Laws of the Sheffield Foot-Ball Club, from 1859 – was bought by an anonymous bidder.

Sheffield FC was set up in 1857, a year before the rules officially came into play, and the club is still active today.

The 1858 Sheffield Laws of Foot-Ball were built on earlier football rules, mainly from Cambridge University and public schools.

The code included many rules still in existence today such as the free kick, throw-in, goal kick, restrictions on handling the ball, and the banning of “hacking or tripping.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Sheffield Hallam MP Nick Clegg said yesterday: “While it’s sad that the oldest set of football rules in existence is leaving Sheffield, the most important thing is that the money raised means Sheffield FC can look forward to a bright future.

“Whether you’re an Owl, a Blade or an FC fan, everyone in the city can be proud of our footballing heritage.

“Sheffield FC has been around for more than 150 years and I hope it’ll be around for the next 150 years too.”

The early success of Sheffield FC encouraged the development of other football clubs in South Yorkshire.

Sheffield v Hallam FC in December 1860 is the first recorded inter-club football match, while the first inter-club competition, the Youdan Cup, was played in 1867 in Sheffield.

Sheffield FC chairman Richard Tims says the money raised from the sale of the handwritten rule book will go toward developing the club’s future.

“The sale of this remarkable piece of sporting history will allow Sheffield Football Club to develop its facilities and secure its future as the home of grass-roots football,” he said.

“The club is incredibly proud of its long history, and it is fitting that the club has until now provided a home for the oldest recorded rules of club football.”