Sheffield FC: New stadium plan for world's oldest football club

The sports complex will have a 5,000 seat stadium, cricket ground, football museum and community sports hall

The world's oldest football club has unveiled plans for a 5,000 seat stadium as part of a new sports centre.

Sheffield FC said the site at the former Sheffield Transport Sports Club site in Meadowhead, would also include a cricket ground, a football museum and an indoor community sports hall.

The facility would be shared with the Sheffield Eagles rugby league team.

Founded in 1857, the football club currently plays its home games in Dronfield, in north Derbyshire.

Sheffield FC Chairman Richard Tims said the new complex would "become an international visitor attraction for football and rugby league fans alike and provide an insight into the history and heritage of both clubs".

"We are pleased to announce our vision for the future: a new stadium back in the Steel City, a joint venture with Sheffield Eagles and a world-class facility, which will benefit the whole community," he said.

"This will be somewhere to which football's three billion fans can make a pilgrimage and pay homage to the city which gave the world the beautiful game as well as a venue for the local community to utilise and enjoy a variety of sports."

The development would meet the standards for both football and rugby league, adhering to both Football League and Super League criteria, the clubs said.

The ground is planned to be ready for the start of the 2025/26 football season

Sheffield Eagles Director of Rugby Mark Aston said the new ground would help with the Rugby Football League's new grading system, which takes into account stadium facilities as well as league position.

"Sheffield Eagles are very excited to be part of this joint venture with Sheffield FC and to be at the heart of this world-class development, which at the heart will have a stadium that meets the Super League criteria to assist us in our aim to return to the top flight," Mr Aston said.

Mr Tims said the club had submitted a planning pre-application to Sheffield City Council with a full application due in January.

If approved, the club hope the ground will be built in time for the 2025/26 football season.

The BBC has asked the club to confirm the cost of the development and how it will be funded.