Sheffield FC: World’s first Football Club to play in Kolkata

Sheffield FC, the world's first Football Club ( www.sheffieldfc.com ) has been invited by Mohammedan Sporting Club to play in the Platinum Jubilee Cup 2010 in Kolkata next week, plus two additional exhibition matches in Shillong and Guwahati. And the club from Yorkshire have accepted the invitation.

2010 marks the Platinum Jubilee of Mohammedan Sporting's victory over Dalhousie to lift the Calcutta Football League title and to celebrate this milestone the world's first Football Club will play against three iconic clubs of Kolkata: East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting, in a knockout tournament for the Mohammedan Sporting Platinum Jubilee Cup.

"We are extremely happy to be able to present this Platinum Jubilee Cup," said Sultan Ahmed, Mohammedan Sporting president and Union Minister of State for Tourism. "We are thankful to IFA and the Management of city giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan for spontaneously supporting the celebration of our club. We hope it marks a new beginning for 'EMTA' Mohammedan Sporting that has been one of the foremost clubs with which Indian football is associated."

"We are extremely thankful to Sheffield FC for finding time to come down to Kolkata to be part of this historical moment," club General Secretary Jameel Manzar said.

Sheffield FC chairman, Richard Tims, stated when asked about the tournament, "India is a rapidly growing nation and soon to be amongst the world's top economic powerhouses. Football is the fastest growing sport there and it is a great honour to be one of the first English sides to be invited to play there, coach the youngsters and also promote the England 2018 World Cup bid."

The tournament will be played in a knockout format in which two teams will play against each other and the winners will play the final at the Salt Lake Stadium, where all the matches will be played on November 12 and 14.

To further boost the occasion, former Indian cricket captain and football enthusiast Sourav Ganguly will be the brand ambassador for the Cup and will also don the black and white jersey of Mohammedan Sporting on the occasion.


About Sheffield Football Club

Sheffield FC, the world’s first Football Club, was founded in 1857 and has been officially recognised by the FA and FIFA as the oldest football club in the world.

Sheffield FC competes in the Evo-Stik League Division One South and plays home games at the BT Local Business Stadium in Dronfield.

Sheffield FC was awarded the FIFA International Order of Merit in 2004 (Real Madrid are the only other club in the world to hold this). In 2010 the club also received the Nelson Mandela Sport and Solidarity Award and the International Fair Play Award.