Sheffield FC became the first football club in the world when it was formed in 1857. While being the world’s only club might appear to be something of a drawback when it comes to organising competitive matches, the club got around that by organising games between its own members – such as marrieds v singles – and under its own rules. 

And even when matches were arranged with other teams coming into existence, it was under rules that pre-dated those that we would recognise today and often unique to wherever the match was being played. When Sheffield played in Nottingham under local rules in 1865, there were 18 players on each side, while they lost under London FA rules the following year by two goals and four touchdowns to nil!

Fast forward to 2021 and Sheffield FC is still going strong and is officially the world’s oldest football club. Now based in Dronfield in North Derbyshire, the men’s team plays in the Northern Premier League East (step 4 in the National League System and seven divisions below the FA Premier League); meanwhile, the women’s team plays in the National League North, at the third level in the women’s football league pyramid in England.

At the start of the 2021/2022 season, Weightron Bilanciai was delighted to become Sheffield FC’s community and brand partner. The sponsorship deal means that all Sheffield’s community teams will benefit from new kits and equipment, with extra support for the women’s development team, boys under 18s, girls under 18s and the junior disability teams.

Weightron’s Managing Director Nick Catt said: “We are delighted and excited to be partnering with Sheffield FC for the 2020/21 seasons. We at Weightron Bilanciai recognise and support the work that Sheffield FC are doing and their role in the local community. We feel it is even more important in the times that we are all facing together today to keep that community outreach and support going.”

Sheffield FC’s General Manager/Club Secretary Richard Sheldon said: “This is an amazing and integral partnership for not only the club as a whole, but in particular our community teams. This will provide new kit and equipment for every community team we have and will support our amazing SFC Women Development, SFC Junior Disability and Under 18’s boys.

“It’s been a pleasure to work with Nick Catt in putting together this partnership and it’s clear that Weightron Bilanciai Ltd are committed and pride themselves in supporting integral community projects in the local area.”

Supporting Sheffield FC is just the latest step in our ongoing engagement with community initiatives in North Derbyshire, which also includes our involvement with Chesterfield Champions, through which we help to promote the town and wider local area as a place to live, work, visit and invest.

To find out more about Weightron Bilanciai, our support of Sheffield FC and our innovative, state-of-the-art industrial weighing machines, simply contact our friendly team today.