There are a number of defunct clubs in Sheffield that made a significant contribution to football in the city. There were 15 teams playing in Sheffield by the early 1860s but only two of them (Sheffield F.C. and Hallam F.C.) remain in existence to the present day. Until the 1877-78 season all the teams played under Sheffield Rules.
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Attercliffe were formed as Christ Church in 1870 before changing their name to Attercliffe in 1873. Playing in blue and white colours, their home was initially at Shireland Lane but they later moved to the Old Forge Ground on Brightside Lane.
They entered the FA Cup twice but never won a match. In 1889, after receiving a bye into Qualifying Round 2, they lost to Park Grange and in 1891 were beaten 5-2 by Rotherham Swifts in Qualifying Round 1.
They became founder members of the Sheffield League in 1892 but only played two seasons, finishing 3rd both times.
Garrick played between 1866 and 1878. They, along with the Wellington club, became the first clubs to play in the world's first two football competitions.
In the Youdan Cup, Garrick lost by one goal and one rouge to nothing at the Cremorne ground on London Road. The following year they entered the Cromwell Cup and after beating Wellington (apparently borrowing seven players from Heeley to ensure victory) they met the newly formed Wednesday in the final at Bramall Lane. In front of around 500 spectators the two clubs fought out a goalless draw. It was agreed to play extra time with the first team to score being the victor (thus becoming the first use of the Golden Goal). Unfortunately Garrick were the losers when Wednesday scored a goal after 10 minutes.
Garrick then withdrew from playing the more popular local teams, instead taking on the minor teams and playing the occasional out of town match (including one of Sheffield's first rugby matches against Manchester Free Wanderers) and also the occasional match against the local pantomime actors - which were huge matches attracting crowds almost as big as the local cup finals.
Heeley were one of the major teams in the area during the 1860s and 70s. They were established in the early 1860s and named after the Sheffield suburb of the same name. They were involved in the formation of the Sheffield Football Association and played in the Youdan Cup. They won the Sheffield FA Challenge Cup once in 1882.
Their best player was Jack Hunter who played seven times for England[1] and captained them once. They also had Peter Andrews, a Scottish International who played against England in 1875. Jack Hudson started his career at Heeley before joining Sheffield and then The Wednesday, and made one appearance for England.[2]
Heeley entered the FA Cup in 1883, 1889 and 1890. In 1883 they progressed to the second round after Grantham scratched only to lose 7-2 to Nottingham Forest. Their second attempt saw them having to qualify for the first round beating Redcar 6-1, South Bank 2-1, Park Grange 3-1 and Owlerton 5-1. They lost the first round to Walsall Town Swifts. Their final season in the FA Cup ended in the second qualifying round, losing to Sheffield United.
Lockwood Brothers were a works team formed in the early 1870s. During the Amateur v Professional crisis of the 1880s, they took a stand by refusing to play the professional clubs of Lancashire. They won the Sheffield Challenge Cup twice in the 1883-84 and 1884-85 seasons.
They entered the FA Cup 4 times between 1884 and 1887. In 1884, they were beaten by Staveley 3-1 in the third round after beating Sheffield 4-1 and Rotherham 3-1. In 1885, Sheffield gained revenge beating them 3-0 in the first round and in 1886 Notts Rangers advanced to the second round at their expense.
In 1887 they gained several Wednesday players due to their failure to register for the cup in time. Having to compete in Qualifying Rounds for the first time, they reached the first round by beating Long Eaton Rangers 1-0, Cleethorpes 4-1 and Nottingham Forest 2-1 and receiving a bye in the fourth qualifying round. They were finally knocked out in the first round by West Bromwich Albion, losing 2-1.
Albion were formed in 1872. England internationals Billy Mosforth and William Clegg both played for the team. As did William's brother Charles Clegg. They never made an appearance in the FA Cup.
Sheffield Rovers were a short lived team that played 4 games during the 1886-87. The team were formed by disgruntled Sheffield Wednesday players who wanted them to turn professional. When the new club met to formally adopt professionalism Tom Cawley, a long time Wednesday player, stood up and suggested that Wednesday be given one last chance. The Wednesday board relented so the decision was taken to disband the Rovers. Their last game was a benefit match for the recently deceased J.E. Deans.
Stocksbridge Works F.C. joined the Yorkshire Football League in 1949, and won the championship of the league on seven occasions, including four successive wins in the 1950s. In 1986 the club merged with Oxley Park Sports to form Stocksbridge Park Steels, a club which remains active.[3]
Thursday Wanderers were a team founded by Sheffield F.C. players who wished to play in the Sheffield Challenge Cup. Sheffield Club had decided not to play in any local matches, so many of their players started playing on Thursdays. The team operated each season from 1876-77 until 1878-79, winning the Cup in their final year. The side was briefly revived in the early 1880s.[4] Thomas Sorby made his solitary England appearance in January 1879 while registered as a Thursday Wanderers player.[5]
The Zulus were a controversial team that existed between 1879 and 1882. They were formed in order to raise funds for the families of victims of the Zulu War. However it was reported that the players were receiving money for playing, illegal at the time, and were forced to disband by the Sheffield FA.
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