Sheffield is the home of football. This is where the rules were written, this is home to the first, and the oldest teams in the world.
The country’s governing football body has confirmed that Sheffield and Bramall Lane are included in its bid to host the Uefa Women’s European Championships in 2021.
With plans in for the country’s first dedicated women’s football stadium in Sheffield and Sheffield United Women recently having gained permission to play in the second tier of the Women’s Super League, the inclusion of Sheffield in the FA’s bid makes for “wonderful news” according to Sheffield United operations director Dave McCarthy. “The development of our stadium and investment in the pitch means that we are now in a position to stage high profile matches and events which bring so much benefit to the city as well.
“In recent years we have staged a number of high profile events at Bramall Lane, such as the Kell Brook world championship boxing bout, the opening ceremony for the UK Special Olympics, the UEFA Under 21 qualifier for the 2019 championships and the FA Women Premier League Championship play-off.”
Councillor Mary Lea, cabinet member for culture, parks and leisure said: “We are delighted that the work we have done with our friends and partners at Sheffield United has gained Sheffield a prestigious place on the host city list in the England FA bid. Sheffield is the home of football. This is where the rules were written, this is home to the first, and the oldest teams in the world, and this is a reinforcement of Sheffield as a world-class location for world-class events.”
The other cities in the FA’s bid include Brighton (Amex Stadium), London (Wembley Stadium and Brentford Community Stadium), Milton Keynes (Stadium MK), Manchester (Manchester City Academy Stadium), Nottingham (Meadow Lane), and Peterborough (ABAX Stadium).
The Uefa will make a final decision in December 2018.
