Hallam FC

Hallam FC 1 – 1 Burscough FC

(Hallam FC win 4 – 3 on penalties)

Att: 300 

On another glorious sunny day, beautiful uptown Sandygate hosted the FA Vase with Burscough FC the visitors. An enthusiastic crowd of 300 were served up an afternoon of sporting entertainment that is sure to be talked about for quite some time! This tie was originally meant to be played at Burscough, but work at their ground meant the match had to be moved to Sandygate, and so Hallam found themselves the away team playing at home, and Burscough the home team playing away!

The game got off to a lively start, with instant end-to-end action. Both teams had their share of free-kicks, corners, and half-chances, with both defences proving difficult to break down. However some sloppy Hallam defending on the 40^th minute saw the ball fall to the feet of Burscough's Josh Quarless, who showed great presence of mind to lob the ball over the stranded Hallam 'keeper.

Another balmy night at beautiful uptown Sandygate saw the Countrymen's final pre-season friendly take place, when the RAF Regiment FC flew into the world's oldest football ground! The 191 crowd were treated to a goal fest that few could have predicted!

Hallam FC got off to the perfect start when, in the second minute, Rhys Davis converted a parried shot, slotting the ball deftly into the back of the RAF Regiment net. Just six minutes later, Hallam pounced on some hesitant defending, the ball being nicked on the edge of the box, and a square pass left Christopher Woods with a simple tap in.

Hallam FC's 1860 Suite has been welcoming people into the bar at weekends to enjoy some social time at the World's Oldest Football Ground.

We are serving a fine selection of beers and soft drinks in our family friendly environment and we take the care and attention to ensure everyone is Covid safe by providing hand sanitisers and a one way system through the suite.

The suite displays sport on our two large TV's and we have an extended outside area with benches and sun unbrella's allowing kids to run about in a safe area whilst you relax and discuss the merits of the offside rule.

Hallam FC 3 - 2 Grantham Town

Chris Woods 77                   Juan 20, 31

Kieran Watson 81

Iren Wilson 89

HT 0-2

Att: 150 

On a warm late summer's evening, Hallam FC entertained Grantham Town under 23s for a friendly match that would see the return of paying spectators for the first time since lock-down measures were introduced. The crowd at Sandygate were treated to a highly competitive game that belied the fact that this was a pre-season friendly. If anyone in the 150 crowd thought they were going to witness a gentle training match, then they were in for a pleasant surprise.

As we look toward the commencement of non-league football in what we hope is the not so distant future, we have been working hard on putting a strategy together which follows both government and FA guidelines as to how we can safely bring fans back into Sandygate.

There have been several developments coming from both organisations, and to coincide with the FA guidelines on COVID-19, we have appointed a COVID-19 officer, created a mission statement and risk assessment for moving forward. We are also constantly making changes and implicating new measures in both the 1860 Bar and the stadium itself to keep, you, and ourselves safe. For those who have visited the 1860 Bar recently will have already seen some of these control measures.

Hallam FC manager Craig Denton has expressed that the family-friendly atmosphere that we provide around the club can help us push forward, both on and off the pitch. 

Earlier we spoke to Craig to get his views on the club as a whole and his ambitions for the future. 

Craig stated, “For me, I’m someone who is looking to come into a great well-run club like Hallam FC. The big pull is their attendances and they are fantastic. 

“That is down to Hallam playing a pivotal role in the community, who have a great affiliation with grassroots teams. There are Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday fans who are more than happy to come and watch a football match at Hallam when they have no fixtures.