To celebrate 165 years of the world’s oldest football club, renowned Sheffield artist Joe Scarborough has produced a set of 25th-anniversary limited edition prints of his iconic 1997 painting depicting the history of Sheffield FC.
The issue will be limited to 200 prints, hand-signed by Joe himself and each one comes with a description of the painting written by the artist and a Certificate of Authenticity.
“This painting by Joe Scarborough was commissioned while we were at Don Valley Stadium,” explains Sheffield FC chairman Richard Tims. “So, it’s quite apt that we’re republishing this print now as we plan to relocate back to the city. In Joe’s inimitable style it details the nomadic existence of the world’s first football club.”
Joining the Scarborough print will be an extremely rare and limited issue from fellow Steel City artist Pete McKee, after five copies of his painting celebrating the club’s 150th anniversary were rediscovered in the club’s archives.
Five copies of the limited edition Pete McKee are also on sale
“The McKee painting is a real collector’s item, with only five copies now available,” says Richard. “It’s an instantly recognisable Pete McKee print based at our current ground in Dronfield. These two pieces nicely complement our recently revamped Made in Sheffield range – everything from Wentworth Pewter engraved tankers to hip flasks and trinket boxes.”
If you’re looking to bag a bargain, this season’s popular kit designed by famed Dutch football brand Copa is now on sale reduced to £30 for adult first team strips and £22 for training kit. As ever, the best way to support the world’s oldest football club is joining a worldwide community of football fans by becoming a club member. For a cost of either £2.50 a month or £30 a year, new members receive everything from a monthly newsletter and shop discounts to a club scarf and badge.
“Running football clubs in this day and age is a challenge, especially at non-league level,” Richard tells us. “We don’t have the television and advertising revenue of professional football, so being able to ship our merchandise and sign up members from around the world is very important; we want everyone interested in football heritage to have the chance of owning a slice of history.”
For more info, head over to the club’s shop here.
