We were in Sheffield for the weekend to tick off some GBG pubs and to see the best band in the world - Teenage Fanclub at The Leadmill on Sunday night.
When I bought tickets for the gig and booked the hotel, I was hoping that Sheffield City were at home so I could visit the Olympic Legacy Park. I later found out that Youdan FC, another Sheffield & Hallamshire League side also play at the stadium, then just last week discovered that Barnsley Women FC were playing their FA Cup tie there on Sunday, which meant I could do a Sheff double.
✔899. University of Sheffield (Norton Sports Park)
Sheffield Union 0-2 Silkstone United
Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Division 1
Saturday 11th November 2023
Sheffield Union run three adult sides with the first team joining the Sheffield & Hallamshire League in 2017, currently playing in Division 1. The club is based at the University Of Sheffield on the Norton Playing Fields.
Logistics - The number 20 bus from the city centre stopped outside the Warminster Road entrance, taking 20 minutes.
University of Sheffield
Norton Sports Park
Athletic and Sports Ground
Warminster Road
Sheffield
S8 8PS
Sheffield Union 0
Silkstone United 2(Barry 70 Ogden 84)
EV2 Sportswear Sheffield and Hallamshire County Senior League Division 1 matchday 7(6th v 4th)
2pm ko
Att.5hc
It took 70 minutes for the deadlock to be finally broken after both teams missed several good chances, especially the away side who could've had the game wrapped up by half time. Braiden Barry got his shin on the end of cross to put Silkstone ahead, before Harry Ogden nipped in between the defence to head home the second on 84 minutes. There was still time for a third goal, but Union goalkeeper Joe Dent produced a great save to deny the visitors from the penalty spot.
✔900. Olympic Legacy Park Community Stadium
Barnsley Women 0-3 Liverpool Feds Women
FA Women's Cup 1st Round
Sunday 12th November 2023
Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park Community Stadium is part of the Olympic Legacy Park, built on part of the former Don Valley Stadium on an old brownfield industrial site.
In January 2013 Sheffield City Council announced that the Don Valley stadium was to close and be demolished as part of a £50 million budget-cutting measure. The demolishing work began in November 2013 and almost one year later it was announced that the Olympic Legacy Park would be constructed on the site.
The site has an Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, an indoor sports arena, a sports pitch, Oasis Academy and University Technical College
The first stage of the stadium development was completed in January 2022, featuring a 3G pitch. The three-storey covered stand, has 782 multi-coloured seats, with an overall stadium capacity of 2000, alongside 23,000 sq ft of business space and ancillary facilities. The dugouts are on the far side and there's hard standing all around, although the standing areas are out of bounds on most match days. The stadium was initially home to Rugby League club Sheffield Eagles.
Logistics - Yellow line tram towards Meadowhall. 10 minute ride from the city centre to Attergate.
Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park
10 Leeds Road
Sheffield
S9 3TY
Barnsley Women o
FA Womens Cup 1st Round
1pm ko
Att. 180.est
Admission £5
Tea £2
(Programme available £1)
Barnsley got off to a disastrous start, falling two goals behind with just eight minutes gone. Katie Anderson got on the end of a Fletcher cross to score from close range, then a back pass from Katie Woodcock caught out the 'keeper and agonisingly rolled into the net. The hosts grew in confidence as the half progressed and looked much better in the second half.
The tie was settled in the 83rd minute when Ellie Fletcher got on the end of a through ball before producing a lovely chip shot to book Liverpool Feds a place in the 2nd Round.
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#Heedhopper
The breadknife and I caught the 0930 train from Newcastle Central station, arriving in Sheffield at 1220, later than expected due to a cancelled train.
After the football we were ready and out of the hotel by 5pm, for our pub crawl which featured… The Harlequin, Fat Cat, The Wellington, Kelham Island Tavern, Shakespeare's, Crow Inn, Three Tuns, Old Queens Head and the Triple Point Brewery. We met up with ex-Groundhopper and now full time Cellar Hopper Mark "the fish" Wilkins in the Crow Inn and we enjoyed a fab night out. We couldn't fault any of the beers we had, all top quality, so by the end of the night The breadknife was very, very drunk.
On Sunday we had a Spoons brekky then a quick drink in The Head of Steam, before I went off to the match. Before the gig we ticked off a few more pubs we missed on Saturday. Once again, great beers in the Two & Six Micropub, Dog and Partridge, Fagans, Brown Bear and a return to my favourite pub in Sheffield - The Rutland Arms.
It goes without saying that Teenage Fanclub were a joy, as well as the support act Sweet Bamboo, so overall an excellent weekend in Sheffield.
