Show Notes
Join an unforgettable year at Sheffield FC, recognised by FIFA as the first football club ever formed. The club helped shape the modern game and is one of only two clubs to receive the FIFA Order of Merit, alongside Real Madrid. However, life at Sheffield FC is far from glamorous. The club now plays in the ninth tier of the English football, operates outside the professional game and, despite its name, doesn't even play in Sheffield. Join Rebecca Lucy Taylor, Adam Oxley and Simon Thake as they follow the club in the 2025/26 season on and off the pitch, meeting the people who keep the club running and exploring the realities of life at grassroots level. Presenter: Rebecca Lucy Taylor Producers: Tom Ryan, Nathan Moore and Dan Green Reporters: Adam Oxley and Simon Thake Sound Design: Kasel Kundola Story Consultant: Gareth Hydes Online Producer: Rachael Smith Executive Producer: Rob Dowell Commissioning Editor: Alistair Miskin Made in Sheffield (or North Derbyshire) for the BBC
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After nine months of hope, heartbreak and extraordinary access, it all comes down to one game. Crowds are growing, optimism is sweeping through the club and the play-offs offer a chance to complete an incredible turnaround after relegation the previous season. As manager Vill Powell, chairman Jon McClure, star striker Alex Hardwick and the volunteers who keep the club running prepare for the biggest match of the season, Sheffield FC's future feels brighter than it has for years. With exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the dressing room, the terraces and the emotional aftermath of the play-off semi-final, Rebecca Lucy Taylor (Self Esteem), Adam Oxley and Simon Thake bring the season to a dramatic conclusion.
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Sheffield FC's season is gathering momentum. The world's oldest football club is winning matches, climbing the table and daring to dream about promotion. Away from the pitch a different story is unfolding. As Rebecca Lucy Taylor (Self Esteem), Adam Oxley and Simon Thake spend more time inside the club, they discover the small band of staff and volunteers holding everything together. Then a controversial matchday decision exposes just how fragile life can be in non-league football.